They quit, traveled, and rethought their lives — meet the adults taking gap years

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Photo collage featuring travelers with a suitcase, a person practicing yoga or meditation, a backpacker on the move, hikers celebrating at a summit, someone reading a book, and a couple relaxing together.

Getty Images; Alyssa Powell/BI

In my 60s, I sold the home I raised my son in and took a job on a cruise ship. It gave me the freedom I needed.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Woman posing for photo
The author sold her house and took a job as a cruise photographer.

Courtesy of the author

I quit finance at 54 to go full-time with my matchmaking side hustle. I love having a career where being older is an asset.

Tech Insider : Business
Cassindy Chao headshot
Cassindy Chao now works as a full-time matchmaker.

Courtesy of Cassindy Chao

I'm a trauma surgeon turned longevity CEO. I get up at 5 a.m., avoid snacks, and keep my phone out of my bedroom.

Tech Insider : Business
Dr. Shah
Dr. Darshan Shah said doing the small things consistently had the biggest impact on his personal health journey.

Madeline Tolle for BI

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Dr. Darshan Shah, the 53-year-old founder and CEO of longevity clinic Next Health, who's based in Malibu, California. It's been edited for length and clarity.

I quit my $390K tech job to start my own business. I still question my decision, but this is the first time in years I've woken up excited for life.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Shiyao Tang sitting on edge of couch
Shiyao Tang says she spent 5 months planning her exit from her $390K job.

Shiyao Tang

I had 90 days to find a job after getting laid off while on a work visa. A $50 book helped me land my dream role.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
Aman Goyal
Aman Goyal

Aman Goyal

In this job market, career security is often a solo project

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
A man waits at a job fair
Job seeker Ike Sobel waits to speak to a recruiter during a job fair in Dallas, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.

LM Otero/Associated Press

I quit my job at Microsoft to be a more present mother. I'm not worried about finding a new job — I have a plan.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Kruthika Jayatheertha
Kruthika Jayatheertha

Kruthika Jayatheertha

I'm delivering for Uber Eats after decades in corporate marketing. It's helped me make money — and stay humble.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Travel
Jay Mandel wears a dark blue shirt while gazing through a window on the right side of the photo
Jay Mandel worked in marketing for decades before turning to gig work last October.

Jay Mandel

Meet a millennial who pivoted from a corporate marketing career to owning his own business. It came with a pay cut but offered more flexibility.

Tech Insider : Business
Lloyd Fisher is next to his vehicle, that says
Lloyd Fisher left his corporate marketing career to run his own business.

Courtesy of Lloyd Fisher

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