I made a big, slightly scary, decision over the Christmas break.
One that feels freeing, having lifted a burden I had been carrying for a while.
I quit my day job (eek 😮)
There are moments in life when the sensible thing and the right thing stop being the same thing.
I'm the oldest of three, growing up in a home where my mum (who we sadly lost last summer) had long term health conditions and dad was working shifts to keep us all afloat. It meant that I took on a lot of responsibility as kid.
Being the 'sensible one' is ingrained in my DNA.
I've always been head over heart.
Over the past year I've been feeling a quiet restlessness - losing mum, then our cat, has reminded me of the fleeting nature of life (and good health).
It's been a restlessness that that starts as a whisper and eventually becomes impossible to ignore. As I edge closer to 50 (how did that happen?), I’ve realised that this next chapter needs to be shaped by heart, not habit.
For a long time, I stayed in my employed role for all the logical, cerebral reasons. The money was decent. The hours were civilised. The flexibility was a gift. The team was genuinely lovely. And, importantly, I believed in the organisation’s values.
But as is so often the case in small businesses, roles evolve. Mission creep creeps. The edges blur. The boundaries of working 'part time' get pushed. I adapted, as we all do, but eventually I realised I was drifting away from the work I enjoy.
I'm ready for a fresh start.
After months of reflection, I made the decision to resign.
It wasn’t impulsive. It wasn’t emotional. It was a slow, steady clarity that arrived after asking myself one question over and over: Is this still right for me?
And the honest answer was "no".
I’m grateful for the stability, the trust, and the opportunities I’ve had. I’ve learned a lot, contributed a lot, and stayed longer than I ever expected to. But being an employee isn’t the right fit for me right now. I originally took the role as a temporary anchor while I figured out my next step.
Now I know what that next step is.
2026 is the year I pour my energy into Hen’s Tooth - creating, curating, and championing pieces I truly love.
I want to reconnect, build new networks, and explore different ways of working and being.
I want to get out into the world again, I want to get out in nature more, I want to spend more time getting muddy at Hen's Tooth Allotment, not just sitting behind a screen.
I want to create, curate, and craft something that feels aligned with ME.
And yes, it’s risky (self employment is ever thus). I’m choosing to rely on Hen’s Tooth as my main source of income. I’m choosing uncertainty over predictability. But I’m also choosing flexibility, creativity, and adventure.
As I approach 50, I'll be following my heart, not just my head.
This isn’t a leap into the void. It’s a return to myself*.
*(Writing that line reminded me of the the Enigma classic 'Return to Innocence' - if you were a teenager in the 90's you now have that lyric in your head, don't you? 😉)
A return to the reasons I became self‑employed in the first place: to use my skills intentionally, to work in ways that feel meaningful, and to build something that reflects my values.
A new year is a natural moment for renewal. For me, this one marks the beginning of a braver, more aligned chapter. One where I trust myself a little more, where I trust myself enough to step away from what’s comfortable and step toward what feels true.
Here’s to fresh starts, bold decisions, and the beautiful unknown.
As I step into this new chapter with a little more courage and a lot more heart, I’m excited to pour that energy back into the things I create, curate, and share.
Join my growing community of people who love slow living, nature‑inspired finds, and meaningful design.
(A little encouragement would be super helpful right now 😍)
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