On Tuesday, October 21st, 2025, my employer asked us to cancel all meetings and stay by our computers all day. If you’ve ever worked in corporate during a “restructure,” you know what that means. We had known for months that layoffs were coming — 9,000 employees across the organization. What we didn’t know was who would be affected. That day, we were told, if you receive a Teams call — it’s your manager and HR calling to let you go. If a meeting appears on your calendar — your entire team may be laid off together.
So we waited.
By 11am my work bestie called me. The anxiety of sitting in suspense was too much — she needed someone to talk to. While we were on the phone, my calendar pinged. A meeting. In 15 minutes. My mind went blank. “Welp… I think that’s it for me.” I got off the phone and paced the floor until it started. My entire team was on the call. And just like that — we were told we were being let go.
I’ve worked hard my entire life — often juggling 2–3 jobs at a time. I love to travel, but it’s usually in 5-10 day increments… just enough time to barely catch your breath before diving back into nonstop grind mode. For years, I’ve missed the feeling of childhood summers — time that wasn’t scheduled, productive, or tied to performance. The freedom to roam, play, and explore. Around 2018, I started saving into what I called my “Freedom Fund.” I dreamed of stepping away for an extended period — to explore the world and dig into things I don't have time to do during my day to day such as art, emersion into other cultures, reading for pleasure, and learning a new language.
In 2019 I was in a job I didn't like and the plan was to take the leap and walk away. Then 2020 happened. So instead of stepping off the hamster wheel, I pivoted into a Medical Science Liaison role. And at that point, the golden handcuffs got upgraded — higher salary, company car, stipends, bonuses, unlimited PTO. The handcuffs were now diamond encrusted. Walking away became harder… even as the desire for freedom remained.
So when October 21st came, I felt a strange mix of loss and liberation. In a way, I had been given something I had been struggling to give myself:
Permission.
Permission to pause.
Permission to explore.
Permission to choose differently.
And with a severance package as a cushion — it felt like grace. I realized - I had no job. No company car. No husband. No kids. No pets. And no reason not to go. As my sister later put it - Instead of gently stepping off the hamster wheel… I was thrown off. But either way — I’m off.
A week later, while scanning flight deals like I always do I found one for Atlanta → Philippines for 50,000 miles round trip. I only had 25,000. But the one-way flight?...Exactly 25,000 miles + $40. So I bought it. A one-way ticket to the other side of the world.
And now here I am — somewhere between Atlanta and Manila, writing this from a layover in Taiwan.
I don’t know exactly what this journey will bring. But for the first time in a long time…
I’m not rushing toward the next thing.
I’m open to what unfolds.
I’m excited for what’s ahead.
And I’m glad you’re here to follow along.