I left my job to become a chocolatier. It was the right choice, but there are things I miss about corporate employment.

Tech Insider : Business
The writer sitting on a bench with her dog, surrounded by greenery.
I left corporate life to follow my dream of running a chocolate business.

Meredith Whitely

My partner and I have lived in a van for over 3 years. Sharing a small space has helped our relationship.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The writer, her husband, and her dog sitting in their yellow camper van.
When I tell people that my partner and I live together in a small van, they usually have questions.

Haley Young

I've spent over $6,000 on 'tweakments' to look good for my job. It helped at first, but I don't even recognize myself.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Woman smiling on bench
Investing in my appearance helped for a while, but I changed my perspective once I hardly recognized myself.

Hannah Van De Peer

I was raised by my mom and her sisters. Growing up with 3 'mothers' has made me a more thoughtful adult.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
The writer standing in a pumpkin patch with a blue sky in the background.
I grew up in a split-level home with my mom and her two sisters. My unconventional, modern upbringing shaped who I am now.

Sara Sturek

I've lived in a van and an off-grid home. Both lifestyles had pros and cons, but neither fits our needs right now.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
The writer's partner holding her in the middle of a camper van, with the door open and sunlight streaming in.
Van life was a dream, but there were also some downsides.

Jayme Serbell

A year ago, I was laid off from my job abroad. Being an unemployed foreigner has been hard, but also exciting.

Tech Insider : Business
The writer wearing a white dress with blurry trees in the background.
Losing my job in Germany brought on an identity crisis.

Anna Dodd

I bought a cheap minivan and lived out of it while getting my college degree — doing so helped me graduate debt-free

Tech Insider : Business
Woman sitting on top of car, smiling
For almost two years, I chose to live in a minivan I bought for cheap on Facebook Marketplace while completing my bachelor's degree so I could save money and graduate without debt.

Andrea Sadowski

I passed out at 4 a.m. in my bathroom. 3 months later, I decided to walk 73 miles across Spain to conquer my anxiety.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Shirin Ahmadi smiling with sunglasses on in Spain.
Shirin Ahmadi smiling in front of Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the endpoint of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.

Shirin Ahmadi

I tried to keep up with my husband's intense fitness regimen and workouts for years. When I stopped, it helped us both.

Tech Insider : Business
alexandra frost and her husband
My husband works out more often and intensely than I do. After years of trying to keep up, I've made peace with our differences.

Alexandra Frost

I moved to 3 countries in 5 years searching for the perfect remote-work base. One city made life feel easy.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
A woman in waterfalls in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Elka Requinta lived in three countries over five years and decided to settle down in Thailand.

Provided by Elka Requinta

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