Hi, I’m Jamie. For 18 years, I worked in youth work and education, trying to make a small part of the world a little better for the next generation.

I worked hard. Really hard. Long hours. Extra responsibilities. Chasing promotions, pay rises and opportunities to prove myself. And eventually, battling against a glass ceiling that seemed to get higher the harder I worked.

Until one day I realised something: I was exhausted.

Too exhausted to enjoy the things that actually make life feel like life. For me, that's travel. Seeing new places. Experiencing different cultures. Live music. Creativity. Trying things just because they're exciting. Having the freedom to decide what I want my life to look like. Then, two years ago, I was made redundant when funding was cut in my sector. At first, it felt like a rejection. Now, I see it as a redirection. I took a leap and launched two businesses - one using the experience I'd spent 18 years building, and another centred around creativity and media. And I loved being my own boss. But I realised I was still chasing. Only now, I was chasing clients, invoices and stability instead of promotions.

And I kept hearing the same thing: “You can't have it all.” Maybe not. But I'm trying anyway.

I choose to pursue joy, freedom and a life that doesn't have to wait until retirement to begin.

I'm exploring a different way of working: one that gives me space to be creative, build something of my own and create more freedom around the things I actually care about. And if you're someone who's quietly thinking “Surely there's more to life than this?”... I think you're in the right place. Because life is meant for thriving, not just surviving..