I've spent the last 12 years of my life building a tattoo career I thought I wanted. I was coasting for quite a few years until about 4 years ago, when I really started learning about business and what it actually takes to build something that runs itself. And today, I'm realising that although all the systems are in place, I'm at a crossroads. I can take my career to new heights, or I can make a big switch and change my career entirely to suit the lifestyle I actually want. So, I'm making the switch.
My current job is great. I'm comfortable, making a decent living, I can pretty much go on holiday whenever I want. But it's limited to one or two weeks here and there. It's great for some, and honestly I know I'm incredibly fortunate to be in this position — but I'm just not happy.
I realised I don't want the fancy house, or the fancy car, and a one-week travel life. I want to go away for three to six months and still have enough to go out and eat and explore new cultures — being out in nature rather than stuck indoors. Less is more for me, and I feel that's what's important.
I find that most of us — including myself — build a career, then a life around it. It shouldn't be like that! I hear so many people say they want a particular lifestyle, but their jobs don't allow it. So that's why I've set up Altered Balance — to help other people work for the lifestyle they want, not the other way around.
