I left corporate America for a gap year in my 40s. The experience changed my spending and priorities.

The author left her 20-year career in corporate America to take a gap year in her 40s. She explains that her career break, taken after trying to balance work and family life, helped her reconnect with her children and gave her a break from the pressures of work. During her gap year, she became curious, tried new activities, and reconnected with her kids.

This experience changed her spending habits and priorities, making her financially dependent on her husband for the first time in nearly two decades. She discovered that she could say yes to new experiences, such as tap dancing and solo traveling, and that she was financially dependent on her husband. This forced her and her husband to examine their finances and realize they could cut back on non-essential expenses.

The author made a goal of trying at least one new thing every week during her gap year, which led her to travel, take a book retreat, and try new activities like tap dancing. She also made time for spontaneity and unexpected experiences, like seeing the northern lights and volunteering with a food bank. The author's gap year helped her shift her priorities and prepare for major life changes. She now works as a travel writer, which allows her to continue having new experiences regularly.