Have you ever sat down with someone you love, a glass of wine in hand, and wondered what life would be like if you just… stopped? Not forever, but for a while—long enough to breathe, to reconnect, to rediscover what really matters. That’s exactly what one woman did when she walked away from a high-powered tech career to chase a slower, more intentional life with her partner. Her story isn’t just about leaving a job; it’s about redefining success, prioritizing couple life, and finding joy in the present. Let me take you through her journey and what it can teach us about balancing ambition, love, and personal freedom.
From Corporate Climb to Courageous Pause
At 35, she was thriving in a tech giant’s Zurich office, pulling in a salary most would only dream of—around $390,000 a year. It wasn’t just the money; it was the prestige, the promotions, the sense of being at the top of her game. But something was missing. In my experience, the corporate grind can feel like a treadmill: you’re running fast, but are you really going anywhere that feeds your soul? For her, the answer came during a heartfelt conversation with her partner over champagne on Valentine’s Day. They laughed about quitting their jobs, but the idea stuck. By the end of the night, they’d made a plan to take an 18-month “mini-retirement.”
This wasn’t a reckless leap. She’d spent years building a financial safety net, saving aggressively until she had $1.5 million tucked away. That kind of discipline doesn’t happen overnight—it’s a testament to planning, sacrifice, and a clear vision. Yet, what strikes me as most compelling is how her relationship shaped this choice. Her partner, older and further along in his career, made her realize that time together was more precious than another rung on the corporate ladder.
“Time is the one thing you can’t buy or borrow. I didn’t want to wait decades to enjoy it with the person I love most.”
What Is a Mini-Retirement, Anyway?
A mini-retirement isn’t about lounging on a beach forever (though, let’s be honest, that sounds nice). It’s a deliberate break from work to focus on personal goals, relationships, or simply living life on your terms. For this couple, it meant trading boardrooms for lakeside walks, late-night meetings for mornings reading by Lake Zurich. The concept comes from the FIRE movement—Financial Independence, Retire Early—which encourages saving aggressively to gain the freedom to step away from work sooner than the traditional retirement age.
Unlike full retirement, a mini-retirement is temporary, often lasting a few months to a couple of years. It’s a chance to test the waters, to see what life feels like without the 9-to-5 (or, let’s be real, 8-to-8) grind. For her, it was about reclaiming time with her partner and exploring what truly made her happy. Perhaps the most interesting aspect is how this pause didn’t feel like an end but a beginning—a chance to redefine what success means in both career and couple life.
The Role of Couple Dynamics in Big Life Decisions
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: money and relationships. Making a decision as bold as quitting a high-paying job isn’t just about personal goals; it’s deeply tied to how you and your partner navigate life together. This couple’s story is a masterclass in aligning values. They kept their finances separate, splitting shared expenses based on their former incomes—35% for her, 65% for him. Even after leaving their jobs, they stuck to this system, which she says keeps stress out of their relationship.
“Having separate finances gives us independence, but our shared mindset about money keeps us connected.”
– Anonymous tech professional
This approach isn’t just practical; it’s a reminder that financial alignment in a relationship doesn’t mean merging bank accounts. It’s about agreeing on priorities—whether that’s saving for a dream home, traveling the world, or, in their case, stepping away from work to focus on each other. Their choice to prioritize time together over career climbing shows how couple dynamics can shape life’s biggest decisions. Have you and your partner ever talked about what you’d do with a year of freedom? It’s worth a conversation.
How She Made It Work Financially
Walking away from a $390,000 salary in one of the world’s most expensive countries sounds like a fantasy—or a nightmare, depending on your perspective. But her financial strategy was rock-solid. Here’s how she pulled it off:
- Aggressive saving: She funneled most of her income into savings and investments, building a $1.5 million nest egg by age 35.
- Frugal habits: Despite her high income, she shopped at discount stores and kept dining out to a minimum.
- Clear budgeting: Her monthly expenses, including rent, travel, and insurance, totaled about $4,611, a fraction of her former salary.
- Separate finances: Splitting costs with her partner kept things fair and stress-free.
Her approach wasn’t about deprivation. She didn’t live like a hermit or skip life’s pleasures. Instead, she focused on what mattered: a sunny apartment with a lake view, time with her partner, and the freedom to travel. This balance of frugality and intentional spending is something we can all learn from, whether we’re aiming for a mini-retirement or just a bit more financial wiggle room.
| Expense Category | Monthly Cost (USD) |
| Rent | $2,187 |
| Discretionary (Travel, Electronics, etc.) | $1,345 |
| Insurance | $497 |
| Food | $378 |
| Utilities | $134 |
| Transportation | $30 |
| Phone & Subscriptions | $41 |
Redefining Success Through Couple Life
What does success look like to you? For years, it might’ve meant a corner office, a bigger paycheck, or another promotion. But for this woman, success became about time—time to swim in Lake Zurich, to read a book without a deadline looming, to travel to Brazil or Australia with her partner. I’ve found that redefining success often starts with asking what truly makes you happy, not what society expects. For her, happiness was rooted in her relationship and the freedom to live life on her terms.
Her story highlights a key truth about couple life: it’s not just about sharing a home or splitting bills. It’s about building a life that reflects your shared values. She and her partner chose experiences over status, connection over competition. This shift didn’t just change their daily routine; it reshaped their entire outlook. They hike mountains, share quiet mornings, and plan adventures together—all without the pressure of corporate demands.
Lessons for Your Own Life Reset
You don’t need a $390,000 salary or $1.5 million in the bank to take inspiration from this story. The principles behind her mini-retirement can apply to anyone looking to prioritize couple life or personal growth. Here are some takeaways:
- Start with why: Ask yourself and your partner what you value most—time together, financial security, or new experiences? Let that guide your decisions.
- Plan financially: Even a short break requires a safety net. Track your expenses and savings like she did with her detailed spreadsheets.
- Align with your partner: Discuss how you’ll handle money, responsibilities, and goals to avoid stress during a transition.
- Embrace flexibility: A mini-retirement doesn’t mean quitting forever. It’s about testing what works for you.
One thing I love about her story is how it challenges the idea that you have to wait until you’re 65 to live fully. Whether it’s a month-long sabbatical or a year abroad, taking time to focus on your relationship or personal passions can be transformative. It’s like hitting the reset button on your life.
What’s Next for Her—and Maybe for You?
As her 18-month break nears its end, she’s not rushing back to the corporate world. Instead, she’s exploring career coaching, focusing on empowering other women to take control of their paths. She’s also savoring the freedom to travel and deepen her bond with her partner. Will she return to a full-time job? Maybe, but only if it fits her new definition of success—one that prioritizes flexibility and joy over status.
Her journey raises a question: what would your version of a mini-retirement look like? Maybe it’s a summer spent traveling with your partner, a few months diving into a passion project, or simply cutting back hours to focus on your relationship. Whatever it is, her story shows that with planning and courage, you can carve out space for what matters most.
“Success isn’t about the next promotion. It’s about having the freedom to live life on your terms, with the people you love.”
Her experience is a reminder that couple life thrives when you prioritize shared goals and mutual support. It’s not about having all the answers upfront but about being willing to take a leap together. So, what’s stopping you from hitting pause and rethinking your own path? Maybe it’s time to pour that glass of wine and start the conversation.
Ready to take control of your time and relationships? Share your thoughts or plans for a life reset with your partner. You never know where one bold conversation might lead.
