From Unfulfilled To Sunshine Filled
Apr

This is a guest post from Alison from AlisonQuine.com
My Mid-life Crisis – Age 28 and 51 weeks
One week before my 29th birthday, my mid-life crisis began, prematurely. I was sitting at my desk in the large windowless room we mockingly referred to as “The Dungeon” for obvious reasons.
My work colleagues were busy discussing the side effects they were experiencing from the anti-depressants they were taking. It was disheartening listening to them.
I had always considered myself a positive, happy, fun-loving type but hearing them talk about how miserable they all were, I started to examine my own feelings.
I was also stuck in the same boat as my colleagues, minus the anti-depressants. The daily grind of my 9-5 routine really was pretty boring after all.
In fact, the more I thought about my life, the more I realized how mundane it actually was. The weeks rolled by monotonously.
I spent Monday to Friday 9-5 at work, by 5:45 I was at the gym, then home, shower, dinner, watch a bit of TV, then sleep. My weekends consisted of going shopping to buy new clothes and shoes to look good when I went out binge drinking with my friends.
I would spend Sunday recovering and reading through fashion and gossip magazines, just to find out which bag “I really needed to have”.
There Had To Be More To Life….
One afternoon, a loud voice stated “there’s no way I’m going to spend my 30th birthday in this miserable place” I looked up from my desk. Everybody was looking at me.
It was my voice!
“Yeh, right” was their response. “We’ll see” I said.
I became determined to change my life and although I had no idea how, I just knew things had to change.
A week later, my 29th birthday arrived and I went to meet a friend for lunch.
During our conversation, I mentioned how miserable I felt. My whole life was just so boring and routine. “I’m going to work in Kos again this summer. Why don’t you come too?” she asked.
It didn’t take her long to convince me and before I knew it, she had arranged an interview for me with a travel company. She knew they were looking for someone and she recommended me. Needless to say, I got the job.
Luckily I was living at my parent’s house at the time so I didn’t have any mortgage payments to consider. The only thing left to do was to sell my car and to Quit my job! (with a capital Q)
My boss smiled and said “Good on you”. I knew he secretly wished he could do the same. He also gave me a cheque for 250 pounds and told me to have a few drinks on him!
Time For The Inner Voice To Make An Appearance…
I can’t begin to tell you how nervous I felt. My stomach began to do daily dances. My inner voice questioned my sanity. One thing was for sure though. There was no turning back.
I had set the wheels in motion.
One month after my 29th birthday I boarded a plane, destination Kos, a small Greek Island in the Aegean Sea.
It was there, I met my boyfriend, Theo. He was working on the island and we clicked as soon as we met. He had left his home in Melbourne in a similar frame of mind.
For the next eight years we travelled. We lived and worked in several countries including Melbourne (Australia), Manchester (UK), Gran Canaria (Spain) and Crete (Greek Island).
We were searching for a feeling. A feeling of contentment. Each country had its own merits and each had its faults. We shared the same views on what we wanted out of life and finally we decided that Crete offered the most.
I guess I’ve done the opposite to most people. I didn’t set out with a plan or a focused idea. I set out on an adventure with no end goal in mind.
I feel this has allowed me to adjust along the way. Finding what suits and then making it fit.
I finally realized that odd jobs in tourism were not fulfilling so I decided to pursue my passion. So, at the end of September 2010, when the tourist season ended, I told my employer that I wouldn’t be returning the following year.
It wasn’t an easy decision but I felt that the timing was right even though the cash flow wasn’t.
Shortly thereafter, I read Gary Vaynerchuk’s book “Crush It”. After reading it, I convinced myself that it would be possible to make money on the Internet by selling my art, with a dash of affiliate marketing thrown in for good measure.
So I started to learn about WordPress and managed to set up my Art blog. Luckily, one of my Greek friends is a graphic designer and She put together a couple of banners for me. That’s how it all started.
Hollywood Ending?…
If you’re expecting this story to have a Hollywood ending, (I know how much everyone likes those) you’re going to be disappointed.
My life isn’t a bunch of roses and I haven’t sold hundreds of paintings – yet. (I’m working on it) I have a maxed out credit card and a loan that still has 2 years to go.
What I can tell you is that I feel like I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing right now.
I live in a fantastic apartment with beautiful views of the sea. The weather is gorgeous, I can go to the local farmers market and buy fresh produce daily, and the beaches are a 5 minute drive away.
My neighbors are old ladies who take their goats for walks and tend to their chickens and vegetables.
In my 20’s it was all about making as much money as possible, having the best car, new clothes, and expensive holidays. Now in my late 30’s it’s more about living healthy, enjoying the simple life, and most importantly, choosing what I want to do with my life.
It’s no longer about chasing the money, it’s about enjoying life.
When Alison isn’t painting or enjoying a coffee on her balcony, she can be found displaying her latest Art, talking about life on a Greek Island and other inspirational stuff on her blog www.alisonquine.com
If you would like to read more about her journey, she has written a five part story, called Quitting the 9 to 5 in Pursuit of Happiness

Debbie Beardsley
Very interesting post about taking the time to figure out what will make you happy and then going for it. We are always changing so it is also important to listen to those signs as you age.
Got a little chuckle about your mid-life crisis at 28 (from a 52 year old!). LOL
Alison
I’m glad I started my mid-life crisis early to be honest 😉
I agree Debbie, we are always changing. I felt clever in my 20’s, I feel wiser in my 30’s. Who knows how I’m going to feel in my 40’s LOL.
Leah
What an interesting journey you share here! I will have to follow up on your 9-5 story. And you are so right, if only more people knew that the trick to success is enjoying it one moment to the next. Wishing you the very best of success!
Alison
Thanks Leah!
I have had quite a journey so far. I’ve learned so much by pushing myself out of my comfort zone!
Benny
Glad you took action and did it! It’s inspiring you broke free and are in your own paradise.
The old way of life definitely got too routine. I hate that. I bet now you don’t say “can’t wait till it’s Friday” because everyday feels like a Friday to you.
Alison
You’re exactly right Benny! Everyday feels like a Friday, especially when the tourist season starts. The whole week kind of blends into one.
Now I make my own routine and that’s fine by me 😉
Harriet`
Argh I’d hate to be listening to people discuss their side affects of antidepresants! God that sounds awful!
Nomadic Chick
I started mine way late, which goes to show change can happen anytime, if you invite it in. 🙂
Alison, the descriptions of the treadmill of your former life echoed strongly with me. Gawd!
That constant, unending routine of sameness drove me mad. I had the same thoughts you did.
Why am I doing this? For who? And why does every single day feel like the next with no end in sight?
Thanks for sharing your story.
Steve,loving these posts. I think it helps others feel less alone and really brings to light how many suffer in silence.
With these stories, nobody has to anymore!
Janet
good for you! I’m coming up with the same realizations in life and it’s so refreshing. My lack of money that wasn’t as much of a problem when I had a cushiony job is a sacrifice that I’m making to live the life I feel I’m supposed to.. and to strive for something that I know I can do with tenacity and persistence!
Alison
Hi Nomadic Chick,
I can’t begin to imagine how many people suffer from the ground hog day routine! By sharing our stories though, hopefully we can show people that there are other options.
Alison
Good luck Janet! It’s not so easy sacrificing the money is it? but in the short term I think it’s sometimes necessary.
Amber
I think that we all go through a time where we simply just want to break free and do what we want to do. Then we do it and finally the happiness comes when we realize it was within us all along. Beautiful story. Just when we thought we had everything we want more. This is where we have to decide what is really going to make me happy. For me its all about freedom and constant change.
Alison
I think you’re spot on Amber. It’s all about being happy. Constant change and learning new things keep the mind active(as my grandad used to say) 😉
Gary vaynerchuk
😉
marlon @ productivity bits
@GaryVee
It’s good to be loved! More and more lives are being changed by your Crush It! book. I’d say that I am one of ’em 😉
Steve
Thanks for stopping by Gary, I appreciate it!
Maybe if I start writing about the Jets more, you’ll come back…..
Marlon @ productivity bits
Alison,
This is a great story. I also read the Crush It! book. You know what, if you haven’t read the “Evil Plans: Having Fun on the Road to World Domination” by Hugh MacLeod, read it! You can see yourself in his shoe. Hugh gave up the corporate world and started selling his art. You should read this book! http://amzn.to/ijQMYC
Jimmy/Life Architects
Hi Allison,
I admire you boldness in going a different direction and trusting that something will work out for you. Even though you might still be only making ends meet financially, I think you are already wealthy in the heart. Just ask yourself,”Do you feel fulfilled now?” I m very sure the answer is a yes. If given a choice you will not regret what you have fine for this turn around. I believe that humans finest hours come in the second half of their lives. Your exciting adventure is only just beginning. Wishing you all the best and keep following your heart and inner voice.
Btw if you could do drop by my site and view the Hopes and Dreams Fulfilled post. There is a challenge there that I hope you will participate in. If you can help spread the words to your readers too.
Cheers