We’ve been delighted to hear so many inspiring ladies stories of chasing after their dreams, finding a way to make a more flexible lifestyle work for them, and stopping at nothing to create a life they adore.
We’ve featured some of these inspiring women on our Instagram and Facebook and are sharing more of their stories here. Full of passion, they’re sure to inspire and encourage you. They might even ignite the fire in you to pursue your crazy big dreams. Because life’s too short and we only have one brilliant chance at building a life we love.
Ami Lee’s story about taking a huge risk then falling in love with her life again.
“Last year I quit my job, packed a bag, and jumped on a plane. People told me I was crazy, that I was ruining my life, that I should be scared. But I didn’t care. I felt suffocated and stuck, so I left. And I met the best damn people on this Earth. I ate street food that fed my very soul and experienced profoundly spiritual moments in ancient, holy places. My heart cracked wide open and fell head over heels in love with life again. I don’t know how I found the courage to get on that plane, but I’m so glad I did. My only regret is not doing it sooner.” – Ami Lee ( @_ami_lee_ )⠀
Grace Kim’s story on being open to taking risks and enjoying life.
“Leaving my job this past March was the hardest and easiest thing to do. The hardest because I’d never done anything that ‘risky’ before. The easiest because I chose myself. Every day, I make my schedule, decide who I see, what I do, how I move, and where I work. There’s nothing more satisfying to my soul.” – Grace Kim @gracejyk
Veronica Stoddart, former travel editor-in-chief of @usatoday, on the importance of travel.
“I consider travel a force for good in the world. I started consulting in early 2015 after a long career with major media companies and absolutely love the flexibility and empowerment of being my own boss and master of my domain. Although I’ve had to learn to manage the ebb and flow of working with clients, it’s been life-changing to be able to decide the kind of work I want to do. Plus, I can work from anywhere, which is a real advantage since I’m on the road so much. Have laptop will travel!” – Veronica Stoddart, @vjstoddart
Viktoria Urbanek and the benefits of remote work for her.
“I’ve worked remotely for the past four years, many times just from my desk at home but also on trains, planes, ferries, and pretty much anywhere. It’s not easy, but the freedom that comes with it is what defines me. Traveling and diving are so much easier when working remotely – I wouldn’t want to change a thing. Proud to be a female entrepreneur!” – Viktoria Urbanek @wanderlustcom
Brianna Valleskey explaining how freelancing has helped her become her happiest self.
“I’m not built for office life. I get extremely antsy when trying to sit still for eight hours a day, and that feeling of being trapped at a desk always made me less productive. But freelancing has freed me to follow my wandering spirit. I now have the pleasure of working with clients across the globe how, where and when I want. My boyfriend and I love to travel, and I couldn’t be happier that I finally have the finances and flexibility to do so.” – @bri_valleskey ⠀
Emily Pelland’s story on her fear of the ordinary inspiring and motivating her.
“My greatest fear is the fear of an ordinary life. It’s the fear of not actually living, of my life being cut short but having never actually painted the colors my mind is full of. The fear of not having stories to tell and the fear of lying in my death bed, and not having used the gift of life wisely. I fear being defined by one career or by one place. People always tell you to face your fears, but I have a hard time believing that this is a fear I should set aside. This is the fear that motivates me and I hope it’s here to stay.” – Emily Pelland, @hikingwithheels
Jacqueline Jensen sharing how remote work has really helped her.
“Working remotely allows me to live a rich life where I can optimize my environment and my day in a way that works best for me. I find I’m more productive, creative, and passionate working remotely compared to times when I have been in an office each day. I’m excited to see how the future of work evolves to give more women the option to be able to work remotely, too!” – @JackieMJensen⠀
Bethany’s story about facing her fears to pursue a life she had been dreaming about.
“A year ago, I booked my one-way ticket, quit my job, sold my car and have not looked back since! Travel has been a massive journey of self discovery for me. I’ve definitely had to work through some big fears and challenges along the way. Travel not only changes your physical reality but it also changes you as a person. I know I’ve had to let go of many beliefs that I held about people and the world in general to make room for what I was now coming to know through real experience. Beliefs about other parts of the world, different cultures, lifestyles, and religions. When you travel it changes the way you see everything and you start to see and experience life with fresh new eyes.” – Bethany, @brownhairedwanderer⠀
Christina’s story on how she finally achieved work-life balance to live the way she wanted. ⠀
“I never believed that work-life balance was possible, or that I could actually create a lifestyle that was equally challenging and fulfilling. When I quit my job to travel, I had no expectations that it would be forever- just a short stint to see the world. But what I found was that once I chose to honor my deepest desires, the world opened up to me in ways that I never thought possible. I experienced true presence, met amazing people, and built a worldwide network just from following my instincts. I’ve gained so much from that act of bravery two years ago, not the least of which is the ability to work where I want, when I want, making as much as I want. It was a scary undertaking and certainly a leap of faith, but looking back, I wouldn’t change it for anything.” – Christina Perricone
Sara’s story of finally giving into her daydreams and pursuing a life she really loves.
“Having been born in Tokyo to mixed race parents, and going back and forth between Japan and the US throughout my childhood, I guess traveling is in my DNA. For as long as I can remember, all I wanted was to continue exploring new cultures, experiencing new places, and meeting amazing and diverse people. I studied in Rome during college hoping it would cure my wanderlust, but it just fed that need even more! Now, after taking the road society expects and working at a desk (while daydreaming about being anywhere else), I’ve finally decided to give into that not-so-quiet voice in my head to build a life that will allow me to travel and do work that I truly enjoy! I have started a social media marketing & VA business and already landed my first client within my first week! I’m now working on building my clientele, leaving my 9-5, and transitioning into taking this full time! I am so excited for this journey and am ready to build a life that I truly love!” – Sara Lovelace, @saralovelace⠀
Sophie’s story on how becoming a freelancer allowed her to follow her intuition.
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“Working as a freelancer allows me to enjoy my freedom, respect my own pace and follow my intuitions. I believe it helps me get the best out of me because I can adjust my working hours and change location often. It keeps me awake, curious and inspired. After a few years working in an office, freelancing has really helped my find myself again, I feel more responsible for my life and alive.” – Sophie Rocher, @pepillustration⠀
These women show how possible it really is to live with flexibility. They all took a leap, to chase their dreams and managed to find a way to make it fit the lifestyle they wanted. Whether you’re just starting your business, have been consulting for ages, or are working a 9-5, know that it is possible to have the life you want. Let these inspiring women light a fire in you to finally take a leap and dive wholeheartedly into chasing your dreams.
Ready to take the leap? We’ve shared a ton of amazing resources here, to help you find remote work, pitch going remote to your boss or level up your freelance game. Happy flex working!
