Like most new writers, I wrote my book while juggling life. For me, life was a fun full-time career, an awesome family, and a long list of cool friends. In May 2016, however, the thing that ate up a huge chunk of my time came to an abrupt end: my career. And when you’ve worked in the same place for as long as I had, it felt more like a marriage unravelling than a job ending. In my case, the uncoupling was not only amicable, it was welcomed.

Let me take you back to when my love affair with the travel industry began in 1998. I was young and stupid and didn’t realize that the industry was a lifestyle and not a living. At the time I needed to make a living. But just as I was about to leave my fun new job, my financial situation improved and my husband said that if staying home and eating bonbons all day made me happy he’d support that. He also said that I shouldn’t quit something I was having so much fun with.

So I decided to stay with the company a year or two until I got bored. The first thirteen years were blissful. The next four were a mix between good times and bad where I toyed with the idea of leaving but never did. I used to hear other people complain about their unbearable workplace cultures and felt like a spoiled brat for wanting to leave a place that was nothing like their slave-driving jobs simply because I was bored.

Each time my motivation would dwindle, I would plan my escape like a kept woman married to a guy too busy to notice her. But then, like a husband keeping his wife from noticing his aloofness, my company would suck me back in with trips to Europe or the Caribbean, send me to Disney or sponsor my humanitarian trip to Vietnam. They’d throw me in French lessons, praise and reward me, sign me up for yet another course to build my skills. And when life at home would hit a bump, they’d give me all the time I needed without question.

In a company that focused on leisure travel, the people I worked with were passionate, spontaneous, interesting, engaging, fun. I was constantly surrounded by images and stories of travelling the world and experiencing cultures: something I am still obsessed with. So why did I want to leave so badly? Why would anyone want to leave a place like this? That’s what I kept asking myself and it’s why I never left.

Being bored no longer seemed like a valid reason to divorce my long-time career. I was afraid I’d leave and then be stuck in one of those other jobs people complained about and regret my decision. So I stuck it out and stayed in a respectful yet loveless marriage with my company. I took every opportunity they gave me and genuinely thanked them for each one.

However, changes were on the horizon and I knew my days were numbered. It was clear to me that my company was getting ready to make a move that would impact me and I wanted to embrace that opportunity as I had all the others. I planned to be ready when the time came.

I wanted to finish my book and get it published. But saying “I want to write a book” is synonymous with “I want to be on Broadway” so I needed a backup plan which is why I signed up for a course on teaching English as a foreign language. I was almost ready to part ways and waited patiently for my company to make their move while silently begging “please let me go so I don’t have to leave you”. And finally, they granted my wish.

The company made a business decision to centralize in another city and consequently a bunch of us were let go. You can’t regret a decision you didn’t make and this decision was on them, not me. I felt like a woman in a dead-end marriage who was finally awarded a divorce with alimony due to irreconcilable differences. They no longer needed me and I no longer wanted them. I would finally get the chance to chase my dream without regret.

The moment I found out, ironically, I was on another wonderful vacation courtesy of my company. “Oh my god, I just got fired,” I said to my husband seated next to me on the tour bus. I had a stupid grin on my face from cheek to cheek and wanted to run up and down the aisles high-fiving the other tourists and screaming “Woohoo! I’m free! I’m going to be a writer! Or an English teacher! Whatever!” The rest of the trip was more joyous knowing it was my last hurrah with a company I was proud to be a part of.

After the uncoupling from my company was over with, I had a lovely summer poolside preparing my book for publication. I certified myself to teach English, built a couple of websites, and have now begun work on my second book while seeking representation for my first. With one less thing to juggle, my life couldn’t be sweeter.

After seventeen long years with the same company, although I don’t regret one moment I spent with them, I’m glad they finally let me go. Their timing was impeccable. I couldn’t have chosen it better.

Summary of the conversation between me and the hubby after losing my job:

Me “Babe, do you mind if I don’t go back to work? I want to be a writer.”

Hubby “Stay at home and eat bonbons if you want. Do whatever makes you happy.”