How I Planned My Leap and Started Rebuilding Life on My Terms
When I uploaded my “I Quit” video, the amount of love, support, and questions that poured in absolutely blew me away.
So many women messaged asking:
“How did you afford to quit?”
“How did you know it was the right time?”
“What are you doing now?”
And I get it - because that was me once too. Wondering if it’s even possible to step away from the 9–5, or from a life that doesn’t feel like yours anymore.
So in this post, I want to take you behind the scenes. How I planned my transition, budgeted for it, and the steps you can take to start creating an income and purpose that align with your life.
🌿 Step 1: I Made a Plan Before I Took the Leap
When I say I quit, it wasn’t an impulsive decision. It was an intentional one.
Before handing in my notice, I sat down with my partner, Jarrod, and mapped everything out:
No car loans. We both drive used cars, so we had no repayments.
A clear savings plan. I calculated exactly how much I needed to live comfortably for a few months with no income.
A household budget. We unsubscribed from anything unnecessary (yes, even YouTube Premium) and got clear on our essentials.
A mutual agreement. We were on the same page about what this season would look like - tighter for now, but purposeful.
I didn’t quit to “escape.” I quit to create.
If you’re thinking of doing the same, please don’t quit on a whim.
Make a plan.
Create a safety net.
And remind yourself - this doesn’t have to be permanent. You’re just giving yourself the space to breathe and realign.
💰 Step 2: I Reviewed My Skills & Passions
This is one of the biggest mindset shifts I want for you to take from this post:
You have skills that can make money outside of your 9–5.
Ask yourself:
What do people always come to me for advice on?
(Cooking, budgeting, outfits, organisation, planning parties, hair, cleaning, it can be anything!)What do I do in my current or past job that could become a freelance skill?
(Admin, social media, customer service, writing, sales, phone support - all of these are marketable.)What did I love doing before I had kids that I don’t do anymore?
(Painting, photography, baking, dancing, fitness, crafts - because your joy matters.)
From these answers, you can start to see possibilities - not problems.
Every skill, every hobby, every passion has potential.
✨ Step 3: I Started Small (and Free)
You don’t need to buy stock or start an online store tomorrow. There are countless ways to create income streams from home:
Selling digital products (ebooks, templates, guides)
Offering freelance services (admin, design, content creation, bookkeeping)
Teaching what you know (courses, 1:1 coaching, workshops)
Monetising your creativity (art prints, tutorials, photography)
Creating community (local paint & sip nights, mum meet-ups, meal prep sessions)
Start where you are, with what you have.
I started by repurposing what I already knew - content creation, marketing, and helping others find clarity in their next steps.
And it slowly evolved into something bigger: The Resilient Mum Collective. Coming so soon, and I’m so excited.
☀️ Step 4: I Stayed Grounded in My Why
It’s easy to get caught up in the noise - comparison, fear, imposter syndrome.
But every time I felt overwhelmed, I came back to this simple truth:
I’m not doing this for fame, followers, or likes.
I’m doing it because I want women to feel empowered, not stuck.
And that’s what drives me every day - through the podcast, my content, and the collective I’m building.
If you’re starting over, define your why.
It’ll keep you steady when things feel uncertain.
🪞 Step 5: Reconnect with Yourself
Before I made any business decisions, I reconnected with me.
I journaled, meditated, visualised, and created a “Future Self” day-in-the-life plan.
This helped me see not just what I wanted to do - but who I wanted to become.
If you haven’t done this yet, I encourage you to sit down and write:
What does your ideal day look like?
What kind of energy do you want to have?
What do you want your children to learn from watching you?
You might be surprised how much clarity comes from just answering those three questions.
🌸 Final Thoughts: You’re Allowed to Start Over
I know this chapter might feel uncertain. But it’s also full of possibility.
You’re allowed to outgrow the old version of yourself.
You’re allowed to build something new - slowly, softly, and sustainably.
And you’re allowed to dream again.
If you’re reading this and whispering, “I want that too,” - take it as your sign.
You don’t have to quit today.
But you can start preparing for the version of you who will.
With love,
Samantha
Creator of Before We Go Inside Podcast & The Resilient Mum Collective
