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By Alyce Collins and Lisa Filgas
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When we’re young, climbing the corporate ladder is sold as this aspirational dream that embodies power, expertise and prosperity (not to mention the killer fashion that comes with it).
The reality, however? Early morning alarms before sunrise, eating at my desk to save time, Sunday scaries and an unhealthy reliance on matcha.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved my job and the career I built. Over 18 years, I worked in media, advertising, technology and business development. I learned more about the world and myself than I can put into words.
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I wasn’t one of those children who grew up knowing exactly what they wanted to do when they’re older. All I knew was that I loved talking, so I went to university to study what I knew I could excel in: communications. I have always been outgoing and loved meeting new people, so I naturally gravitated toward commercial roles.
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One opportunity led to another, and before I knew it, I'd built a successful career. Along the way, I earned promotions, managed teams and had the opportunity to work with some of the world’s biggest tech companies and brands.
For a long time, I really enjoyed my work.
I'm incredibly proud of what I achieved, but when I look back, it's the people who stand out most. I've always loved the human side of business, and I’ve worked with some exceptional individuals, many of whom are still my close friends. We spend so much of our lives at work, so finding people who make those years enjoyable is something I'll always be grateful for.
I've had some brilliant experiences, but as I became more senior, I found myself increasingly focused on targets, revenue and performance, rather than the things I enjoyed the most.
It led me to realize that there's a big difference between being good at something and genuinely loving it.
I have so many friends who are thriving in demanding corporate careers, and I genuinely admire them. They're incredibly talented, ambitious and brilliant at what they do. But it took time for me to realize that what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another.
I started to wonder if my version of success might look a little different.
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‘Losing My Dad Reminded Me How Precious Time Is’
My shift in perspective didn’t just happen overnight. In fact, everything changed for me three years ago.
Sadly, my wonderful dad Niall passed away suddenly in May 2023. We were incredibly close, and I miss him every day.
When you lose someone you love so deeply, you become painfully aware that time isn't guaranteed. Things that once felt important, like promotions, salaries and career milestones, start to feel less significant.
My dad had a huge love for life, and he was a big believer in doing what made you happiest.
From that point on, I began questioning how much time I spent preparing for a future that wasn't promised, rather than enjoying the life I had. Grief changes you, and I think it's taken me a few years to fully understand how much it's altered me.
Earlier this year, I joined a new company in a senior role, and it quickly became clear that it wasn't the right fit. In the past, I probably would have pushed through because leaving so soon wouldn't look great on my résumé, but this time, I questioned why I was putting myself through something that wasn't making me happy.
We spend so much of our lives preparing for the future, sometimes we forget to enjoy the present.
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Losing my dad reminded me how precious time is. I found myself asking, what would he say to me if he was still here?
I've always been disciplined about saving and investing (although I've certainly enjoyed myself along the way). I was fortunate enough to earn a six-figure salary, and I built a financial cushion, which I always assumed was for retirement. I hadn't considered that it might give me the freedom to make a change at 39.
I suddenly realized that I could actually use it to give myself some choices now, not in the distant future. I decided I needed to sit in the discomfort of starting over.
The idea of quitting my corporate job in my thirties and waving goodbye to my regular income was (and still is) a terrifying prospect. After all, you'd have to be slightly delusional not to have any doubts about walking away from a comfortable income. But I started to question what I had been saving for throughout all these years.
For nearly two decades, I was smart with my money, but it was never about becoming incredibly wealthy. It was about having options.
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Now, I am fortunate enough to have created those options, so why not take the leap? I don’t want to reach retirement wishing I was brave enough to take risks when I was younger.
So, in September 2026, I took the plunge and handed in my notice. It wasn't an easy decision, particularly as I didn't have another job lined up. But rather than spend another year trying to make something work that didn't feel right, I decided to explore what I actually wanted to do next.
One minute I had a senior corporate job, and the next I had a completely blank calendar. There was no fanfare the moment I quit, no spontaneous dance routine or montage of memories—just a fresh start.
In that moment, I felt a mixture of relief, excitement and fear.
When you’ve spent most of your adult life working, your career becomes tied to your identity. So suddenly not having a job title or a salary is a strange adjustment. Yet there's also something really exciting about the possibilities.
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‘Do The Thing That Scares You’
I definitely haven't got everything figured out. Some days I'm incredibly excited, and other days I wonder whether I've completely lost my mind. But for the first time in a long time, I'm allowing myself to explore what I want, rather than just following the path that seems sensible.
Right now, I'm exploring freelance, consulting and part-time opportunities, while also making time for creative projects. But that will all come with time. I'm trying not to put too much pressure on myself to have everything figured out immediately.
I think it's OK to question the life you've built, even if it's an amazing one. You can be proud of your career, grateful for the opportunities and love the people you've worked with, while still wanting something different.
I'm not suggesting everyone should quit their job, I'm just simply giving myself the chance to explore what else might be possible.
Take the chance and do the thing that scares you.
Look at me, I wasn’t on social media for years, but I decided to share my journey on Instagram and became an accidental influencer. My story has resonated with so many people, and I went from 400 Instagram followers to almost 50,000 within days.
It has been so refreshing to learn that I am not alone. I love the idea of creating a community for people questioning their careers and what they want from life, and that inspired me to create The Common Club. It’s my own community endeavor for people who feel disillusioned with life and want to get together for fun events with like-minded people.
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I want people to know that there is nothing wrong with starting again and trying new opportunities at any age.
If there's one thing I would encourage people to do, it's to start building a financial runway, ideally six months of living expenses if that's achievable. Even putting a little aside each month can eventually give you more choices than you might realize.
It doesn’t mean never having to work again, but it could just give you the freedom to choose what comes next. I'm turning 40 next year and for the first time in a while, I feel so excited for my future.
Lisa Filgas, 39, lives in London, U.K. with her partner, Jouvan. When she’s not traveling, she loves reading, going to reformer Pilates, attending live music shows and watching reality TV. After quitting the corporate world, she is now rediscovering what the world has to offer and has been sharing her journey on Instagram.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Charlotte Nisbet and Tony Phillips.
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