I’m a week shy of marking my first full year away from the yachting industry, I've learned that leaving a familiar world is less about dramatic epiphanies and more about consistent, intentional choices. My journey has been a tapestry of emotional highs and lows, of rediscovering personal boundaries and wrestling with unexpected challenges.
Contrary to popular belief, departing the yachting industry doesn't come with a thunderbolt moment of clarity. Instead, it's a gradual process of realignment. I meticulously prepared for this transition: securing financial stability, finding my own living space, and adopting two adorable "anchors" to ground me and prevent any impulsive returns to seafaring life.
Rejection became the unexpected theme of my first year out. First, I experienced a subtle disconnection from the yachting community I once belonged to. Working in a shipyard's project management team, I found myself on the outskirts, no longer part of the crew's tight-knit world. Then came more personal challenges: my mother's mental health issues led to her cutting ties on my 30th birthday, a romantic relationship with someone I thought was ‘the one’ dissolved, and a promising part-time role which I felt was perfect for me slipped away in favour of a more experienced candidate.
Each rejection tested my resolve. The temptation to return to yachting was constant—the promise of financial security and instant community always lurking in the background. But I knew something deeper called me home: the simple pleasures of walking on the beach with a friend, making spontaneous plans, and enjoying quality time with family.
What I miss most about yachting isn't just the impressive salary or the comprehensive support system. It's the intangible sense of belonging. Onboard, everything was taken care of—from toiletries to meals, from safety to social connections. The transition to land-based life can feel profoundly lonely in comparison.
My journey of leaving yachting wasn't just about physical departure, but a profound realignment with my core values. Like many in the superyacht industry, I've always been driven by a desire to help others. Over time, my priorities shifted dramatically. Where once financial success took centre stage, I now craved deeper connections, stability, privacy, and inner peace.
I left the industry knowing I needed more meaning—not just a job, but a purpose. Shoreside Coaching emerged from this deeply personal revelation. I felt I had completed a significant chapter of my life and was ready to support others navigating similar transitions.
Despite the challenges, this year has been rich with personal victories. I've cultivated a sense of true belonging I never experienced before. My days are filled with regular meetups with wonderful friends, the independence of living alone, and moments of pure tranquillity. The UK summer became my sanctuary—sitting on the beach with a book, breathing in the salt air, feeling completely at peace.
Weekends now include taking my nephews to rugby practice, enjoying spontaneous cocktails with friends, and I’ve loved exploring diverse skills through freelance work. From project management to online course creation, web development to marketing, I've been collecting experiences that feel authentically mine.
Every single day of the last year, I’ve consciously chosen to stay on this path. And gradually, that choice becomes easier, more natural. My story isn't about a perfect transition, but about persistent self-discovery.
To my fellow yacht crew members contemplating or experiencing this transition: you're not alone. Leaving the industry is challenging, but it's also an opportunity for profound personal growth. If my story resonates with you, let's connect. Together, we can transform this challenging journey into a path of empowerment and new possibilities.
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