Welcome
You Don't Have to Stay
Welcome!
If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’ve felt it too—that gnawing sense that there is more to life than this.
For eleven years, I ran a successful travel business. I loved the freedom, the challenge, the feeling of building something that was truly mine. Then the pandemic hit, and like so many entrepreneurs, I watched my business crumble. I told myself I had no choice but to return to corporate life.
Going back felt like stepping into a cage. I was a tiger pacing behind bars, and every day I could feel myself getting smaller. The worst part? I believed I was supposed to be grateful just to have a job.
That’s when I started writing You Don’t Have to Stay.
I wrote it during my lowest moments—sitting in meetings that felt meaningless, staring at spreadsheets that had nothing to do with who I really was. I wrote it because I needed to believe there was another way forward. And I wrote it for you, in case you needed to believe it too.
What You’ll Find Here
Every week, I’ll share:
Personal essays about my journey out of the cage and what I’m learning along the way
Practical advice for navigating career transitions, even when you’re scared or unsure
Deeper explorations of the themes in my book—permission, identity, courage, and what it really means to choose yourself
This isn’t a newsletter about having it all figured out. It’s about the messy middle of change, the questions that keep you up at night, and the small acts of bravery that eventually add up to a completely different life.
You’re Allowed to Want More
Maybe you’re in a job that pays well but empties you out. Maybe you’ve been told you should be grateful, so you’ve stopped admitting how unhappy you are. Maybe you’re already planning your exit but terrified you’ll fail.
Whatever brought you here, I want you to know: you don’t have to stay where you are. You’re allowed to go after something better. And you’re not alone.
I’m glad you’re here!
— Amy