In November 2013, I walked in to my boss’ office to tell her I was handing in my notice. I would be walking away from a pension, company car and a career path I was firmly set on to work two days a week for a lifestyle blog that hadn’t even been launched. I’m not sure who was more shocked, me or her.

I joined the UK HQ of one of the world’s largest beauty companies in 2007 as a very enthusiastic online marketing exec. Over the years I worked hard to get noticed and was rewarded with my own team. As I’m sure most people would agree, being promoted to manage your peers can be difficult. While I had done every training course imaginable, putting those lessons into practice proved challenging and I needed an outlet outside of work to de-stress. My Dad is a Painter and Decorator so I find the sight of brushes in turps slightly comforting! Towards the end of 2011 I started an interiors long distance learning course and a year later qualified with an interior decoration diploma. It was tough managing full-time work and part-time studying but it was great to add another string to my bow.
In 2012 I was introduced to a certain blog queen through a mutual friend. We hit it off over a few bottles of wine and a box of chocolates. The following spring, completely out of the blue, I received a phone call from Mrs O’Shea asking if I would like to help out on a Rock My Wedding editorial shoot. Over the next few months I started to help out backstage at RMW assisting with social media and shoot styling. I used most of my annual leave in 2013 interning with the Rock My Wedding guys, and although I was in desperate need of a holiday(!) I absolutely loved it.

Meanwhile in my other life, I was getting exposure at Board level and had worked hard to get the respect of my team. I felt valued and like I was making a difference but the corporate world was becoming increasingly pressured. I spent my evenings and weekends working on strategic presentations, whilst juggling eDecor mood boards on my own blog and wedding related social media. I was completely worn out and something had to give. And it did rather spectacularly when I was meant to be on annual leave. I had to cut short my holiday to go back in to the office to work on a very exciting high-profile project. I was looking after my niece for the week and juggling umpteen other balls. Basically I had a meltdown and James begged me to reconsider how much work I was taking on.

However, when the months of discussions and planning about Rock My Style finally came to fruition there was no way I wasn’t going to be a part of it. As the role was only two days a week I realised I had to make a pretty big decision if I wanted to join the team. My company was a huge advocate of flexible working but unfortunately the policies only covered employees with dependents. Even if I had kids, realistically there was no way I could manage the responsibilities of my role in anything less than four days.

I did my sums; paid off my student loan, changed my expensive phone contract and cut down on the spending. Though it was going to be a push I realised I could pay the mortgage, keep my car and eat beans on toast for life by working two days a week. I had the support of my family, my friends and and huge encouragement from my husband and so I finally plucked up the courage to leave full time work.
The guilt I felt was immense. The company had greatly invested in me and I felt I was letting them down but I also couldn’t wait to get my teeth stuck in to Rock My Style.

Thanks to an incredibly supportive boss what happened next still takes me by surprise. I was lucky enough to be offered a part time position with my old company. While my time in the corporate world could come to an end fairly abruptly (the joy of being on a short term contract), I feel exceptionally lucky I have been able to carry on with two roles and enjoy a diet more varied than beans on toast every evening. While one environment may be more more strategic and the other more creative, I am surrounded by exceptionally talented people who inspire me on a daily basis. How I try to manage both jobs is probably worthy of another post!

With the new year well and truly unfolded I know many people reconsider their career options so I hope you have found my own account useful. I’m aware my experience is unique but my own advice for anyone considering moving away from full-time work is not to make any rash decisions, get a hold on your finances, gain the support of your loved ones and prepare to be very, very flexible.

Is anyone else thinking of making a move away from the corporate world? To those who’ve already taken the plunge what was your decision making process and how are you finding the change?