Lifestyle Ireland: Why One Dublin Woman Left Her Six-Figure Career at 39

There comes a point when the well-paid job, the carefully built CV and the sensible financial plan no longer feel like enough. For Dublin woman Lisa Filgas, that realisation arrived after years of professional success — and the decision to step away has resonated with thousands of women questioning what achievement really means.

Lisa, who turns 40 next August, left a six-figure corporate role and says she does not plan to return to that world. Her story has become a striking part of lifestyle Ireland conversations, particularly among people reassessing work, money, grief and personal fulfilment in their late thirties, forties and fifties.

Lifestyle Ireland and the pressure to follow the expected path

For many people in Ireland, adulthood can feel like a sequence of milestones: attend university, secure a respectable job, buy a home, marry and raise a family. Lisa’s experience challenges the assumption that everyone must follow that same route to have a successful life.

Although she and her partner rent in London, Lisa says home ownership does not define her progress. She had earned and saved enough to consider a mortgage, but questioned why property should be treated as the ultimate measure of stability or status. That perspective has struck a nerve in Ireland lifestyle news, where housing, career mobility and financial independence remain deeply connected.

Her message is not that people should abandon secure employment without preparation. Instead, Lisa encourages women to consider whether their work still reflects their priorities, and to build enough financial breathing space to make choices rather than feel trapped.

Her online following grew dramatically after she began sharing videos about her decision. What had been a relatively small audience became more than 40,000 followers, while her videos were viewed more than a million times. Many viewers said they wanted a change but were afraid; others had already left conventional careers and wished they had done so earlier.

Grief changed her understanding of success

The decision was shaped by a profound personal loss. Lisa’s father died in 2023, after which she left her job and took six months away from work. She travelled to Bali, attended a nervous-system regulation retreat and completed yoga training as part of her attempt to recover.

She has described her father as someone who asked meaningful questions about life and purpose. Losing him encouraged her to look more closely at how she spent her time and what she wanted her future to feel like. In that sense, her story sits alongside wider discussions about Ireland wellbeing, emotional wellbeing, grief and the search for a more balanced lifestyle.

Lisa’s professional background includes client services, policy and recruitment. After years of building a career, she now hopes to create something of her own and develop a community for people navigating similar changes. She has also suggested that an event may follow in the future.

Practical lessons for anyone considering a career change

Lisa’s advice is grounded in preparation rather than impulse. Her experience offers useful ideas for anyone considering a sabbatical, a lower-paid role, self-employment or a complete change of direction.

• Create a financial safety net: Lisa kept what she called a “leave fund”, giving her the confidence to walk away if necessary. The amount will differ for every household, but even gradual saving can provide options.
• Give yourself a realistic timeline: People with children, mortgages or other commitments may need longer to prepare. A slower plan is still progress.
• Define short-term fulfilment: A fulfilling next step does not have to be permanent. Taking a lower salary for a year, if affordable, may offer valuable experience and renewed energy.
• Build confidence deliberately: Lisa uses a power pose before interviews or difficult conversations. More broadly, preparing examples, researching pay and practising requests can make professional conversations less daunting.
• Keep an eye on career mobility: Lisa believes changing employers can sometimes lead to stronger salary growth than remaining in one role. Any move should be based on research, responsibilities and personal circumstances.

These ideas are relevant to several strands of health Ireland and modern working-life discussions, including stress management, workplace wellbeing, personal growth and work-life balance. The central point is simple: a career plan should support a life, not consume it.

For more practical Irish perspectives, read our coverage of work-life balance and modern living in Ireland.

Is leaving a secure job the right choice?

There is no universal answer. A major career decision depends on savings, housing costs, dependants, health, employment prospects and the availability of support. For some people, the right change may be a complete break. For others, it could mean reducing hours, changing teams, taking annual leave or exploring training while remaining employed.

It is also worth remembering that financial independence can look different from person to person. Home ownership, a high salary and seniority may be important goals for some, but they are not compulsory markers of a meaningful life.

How can someone prepare for a career change?

Start by listing essential monthly costs, reviewing savings and identifying the minimum income needed for a stable life. Then research potential roles, speak with people in the relevant sector and consider whether a gradual transition is possible. Professional advice may be useful where pensions, tax or significant financial commitments are involved.

Lisa’s story has connected with so many people because it acknowledges both sides of change: the excitement of a new beginning and the fear of giving up certainty. Her experience does not offer a formula, but it does give permission to ask better questions about ambition, security and time.

That is the lasting lesson for lifestyle Ireland: success is personal, and the life that looks sensible on paper may not be the life that feels right. Before making a dramatic move, prepare carefully — but do not ignore the quiet feeling that something needs to change.

Explore more Irish stories about personal growth, confidence and healthy living in Ireland.