Life Without the 9–5 Salary

May 23, 2025

There’s a moment usually around 3am when the reality of walking away from a regular salary hits you.

It doesn’t arrive with a dramatic bang. It sneaks in quietly, between the duvet folds, whispering things like:

“What were you thinking?”
“Will you be okay?”
“What if this doesn’t work?”

For 30+ years, I had a salary. A reliable, steady, dependable salary that landed in my account like clockwork regardless of whether I felt aligned with the work or not. And then one day, I didn’t.

From Paydays to Purpose Days

Let’s not sugar-coat it: the 9–5 gives structure, status, and security. But it also shackles you if you’ve outgrown the life it’s funding. For me, it wasn’t a dramatic collapse or a movie-style quitting moment. It was quieter. Slower. A knowing that I had my next Midlife Edit in me and this time, it wouldn’t be wearing a bloody lanyard!

I didn’t leave corporate in a blaze of glory. I left with spreadsheets because behind every brave woman who walks away from a salary is a deeply unsexy, yet wildly liberating Excel doc. Mine mapped out what I had, what I’d need, and how long I could breathe while building something new.

But First, Let’s Talk About the Money Thing

Here’s the truth most people don’t post on Instagram: MONEY IS SCARY when you haven’t been taught how to understand it.

And let’s be honest, Gen X women weren’t taught it. Not properly. We were taught to save, be responsible, don’t spend what you don’t have, and maybe open an ISA.

But growth? Investment? Risk? Long-term strategy?

Nope. That was never in our textbooks.

We were raised to be the nurturers, the carers, the budget stretchers, not the wealth builders. We handled the household, we didn’t handle the hedge funds.

So yes, I’ll say it here out loud: I’m useless with numbers!
Not just “ha ha I hate spreadsheets” kind of useless. I mean actual brain fog and paralysis when faced with anything mathematical.

And yet... it didn’t stop me.

I always had people around me in my career - teams, colleagues, financial advisors who could make the numbers make sense. And when I left corporate, I built that same support structure outside of the office.

I work with brilliant financial advisors who help me understand where I’m heading and how to get there. They don’t speak in jargon. They speak my language. They know freedom, not flashy is the goal for me. (Thankfully, I’ve never appreciated designer this or that, I’m happy with high street typically.)

Outsourcing the things that aren't your strengths is a skill. I can work with a spreadsheet. I can manage budgets. But understanding the mechanics of long-term financial planning? That’s not my lane.

And I’m okay with that because clarity isn’t always about doing it all, it’s about knowing when to ask for help.

Wealth Looks Different in Midlife

One of the greatest surprises of midlife? Desire shifts.

I no longer needed a bigger car, a fancier title, or another Zara haul (although let’s be honest, I still bloody love a good blazer).

What I needed was:

Autonomy over my time
Energy that wasn’t drained by someone else’s agenda
And clarity around what actually matters

Turns out, none of those things are salary dependent. But they are planning dependent.

Because this isn’t a blog about reckless leaps, it’s about considered pivots. I didn’t “ditch my job to follow my passion.” I made a plan. I cut unnecessary costs. I built a financial buffer. I redefined success on my own terms and that’s the bit people skip over on social media when they sell you “freedom.”

And just so you know..... now I get a buzz from seeing what I don't spend these days!

From Income to Outcome

When you work for someone else, your time is traded for money. When you work for yourself, your value is tied to impact.

Do I make less money now than I did in corporate? Yes.
Do I care? Not in the slightest.

Because now, I decide what I’m building. I decide how I show up. And I finally understand what people mean when they say they feel “rich” in time.

There’s power in choosing a life that isn’t constantly monetised by someone else’s agenda. And there’s confidence in knowing you built it with both spreadsheets and soul.

The Patience of Profit

People often ask me, “When are you going to start making real money?” In fact, my financial advisor posed this very question just yesterday, eager to plug numbers into the forecast. But the truth is, I can't provide a definitive figure or timeline on "real money".

My plan has always been to grow an audience, engage with them meaningfully, and build a foundation before monetizing. My strategy for The Life Edits is still in place, yet I have the freedom to pivot strategically. No setbacks, just reflection and repositioning as needed. The freedom and joy I'm now experiencing while I build The Life Edits is transformational. The peace that surrounds me is priceless.

The reality is, for many fledgling businesses, immediate profitability is rare. According to industry insights:

Most small businesses take at least 2 to 3 years to become profitable.
In many cases, real success comes after 7 to 10 years.
Social-media-based solo businesses? Even longer if you’re building organically, not buying followers or running constant ads.

So, when will I start making "real money"? The honest answer is: when the time is right. My focus remains on building value, fostering connections, and laying a solid foundation. The revenue will follow.

What I Wish More Women Knew

So many women I work with say they feel “trapped” by the salary. But often, it’s not the job that’s holding them hostage, it’s the belief that they can’t survive without it.

Here’s what I want you to know:

Your brain in midlife is wired for clarity, not chaos. Use it.
Your financial story is yours to re-write. Start with one number.
Your worth was never your salary. Read that again.

Midlife isn’t a crisis, it’s a bloody invitation. One you’ve earned.

And if you’re standing at the edge, wondering what life without the 9–5 looks like, just know this: it looks like freedom, wrapped in spreadsheets, fuelled by self-belief, and powered by purpose!

Here for you always!

Want to Start Your Own Exit Strategy?

Download the Midlife Audit Workbook to take stock of where you are, and where you want to go.

It might just help you realise that the life you crave is closer than you think. Grab your copy here https://www.thelifeedits.com/midlife-audit-workbook