The Journey to Letting Go: Why I Left Stability for the Unknown

For as long as I can remember, my career was my identity. I built my life around hard work, ambition, and proving myself. I worked 60+ hour weeks, completed a part-time degree, took on multiple additional courses, and climbed the professional ladder with determination. If someone said something was impossible, I wanted to prove them wrong. But what happens when you reach the top of the ladder and realize you're on the wrong building?

I had achieved what I always wanted: a respected career, stability, a sense of accomplishment. The choice seemed simple: stay and continue to rise, keep pushing, keep succeeding. But there was a whisper at the back of my mind: "Is this all there is?". There was a fork in the road. Do I stay in this amazing life I’ve built? Do I push further to go even higher? Or do I step away entirely, to live, to experience, to see the world?

Dan when he lived in Devon

I was never the smartest in school. In fact, I barely tried. I hated every subject, but none more than physical education. I struggled with my GCSEs, and truth be told, I didn't care. But it wasn’t just about effort, I missed huge parts of my education due to illness when I was in primary school.

As a child, at that age, I was constantly sick. Thin, frail, and exhausted, I spent most days either sick or at home. My mother, my biggest supporter, fought tirelessly to find answers, I would spend countless occasions at the surgery, doctors dismissed her concerns, until I was finally diagnosed with asthma, and it was this that had made me so ill for so long. I would have to be woken in the middle of the night to breathe though a respirator, take various medication, and I was mostly unable to take part in activities that involved exercise or running, which would often make me feel isolated, opting to choose spending my break times in the classroom instead of outside. I would later need an operation at a young age, and I remember the fear of going under, my mother crying as they put me to sleep. It was a frightening experience.

Dan when he lived in Devon

At school, I was the kid who misspelled words, forgot punctuation, and couldn't even tell time until I was 14. I remember a teacher in particular who made me feel small for it. I carried that feeling of inadequacy for years.

High school was no better. The hallways were a battlefield, navigating identity, sexuality, friendships, and the overwhelming need to just survive without drawing attention to myself. But there was one thing that would be an escape, unknown to me...

Some of my best childhood memories were spent backpacking the Cornish coastline with my parents. We would spend days on the trail, disconnected from the world, no media, no distractions—just the rhythm of our steps and the sound of the waves. It was tough at times, but it taught me something important: challenges are meant to be overcome.

Dan and his mother Abi walking the coast path

A brief stop while walking the coast path

Those trips planted a seed in me, a love for adventure, solitude, and resilience. I didn’t realise it at the time, but those experiences would later call me back when I needed them most, and would be something I would later return to.

Dan, Luke, Katy, Paige and Chloe

It wasn’t until Sixth Form that I began to find my place. I came out to my friends, I had my first real relationship, and for the first time, I truly applied myself to my studies. I discovered my passion for psychology and mental health. I went from a struggling student to the first in my school to achieve an extended diploma with distinction across the board.

I had something to prove, and I chased success relentlessly. I studied nursing, but it wasn’t for me - I was however thankful for this to meet my amazing friend Emma, who has stood by me and seen me evolve over many years. I remember how hard it was to leave and come back to Cornwall, not realising that I would be home, but my friends would still be off doing their own studies. I pivoted, taking courses in addiction, mental health, and behaviour, to chase the career I always wanted which was to be a counsellor. With no experience, I applied for a job in drug and alcohol services. My application boldly stated: "I know I don’t have much experience, but if you hire me, you won’t regret it." I got the job, and also met the amazing Claire as a result, who remains a very close friend to this day.

Dan and Claire

By the time I was 20, I was coordinating services across Newquay. A police officer once refused to believe I was in charge because of my age. I kept climbing. I became a senior lead for a behaviour change program, managing a team, pioneering trauma-informed care, and ensuring that no client was left behind - the long story short version. At the same time, I was running a private counselling practice, working as a clinical supervisor, juggling admin jobs, and pursuing a part-time degree in forensic psychology. People asked how I did it all. Truthfully? I thrived on pressure. I thrived on proving people wrong. I thrived on pushing myself to the absolute limit. But limits exist for a reason.

Then, COVID hit. The world changed overnight. Managing a high caseload, supporting struggling clients, and navigating the uncertainty of a global crisis was overwhelming. I kept pushing through, but I didn't realize how much I was holding inside. Then it caught up with me.

Some people called it a breakdown. I still hate that word. But whatever it was, it felt like everything I had worked for was unraveling. Constant rumination, bad thoughts, I could not live life like this - I wondered if that was how it was going to be from then on. One morning, my mother sat on my bed, sadness in her eyes. She told me my nan had passed away. I couldn’t process it. Another thing. Everything felt heavy. It was just one thing after another. More to contend with, more to recover from. For the first time, I was forced to slow down. And I hated it. The recovery felt so long, and impossible. I started prioritizing myself. I focused on nutrition, movement, meditation, nature, and sleep. I let go of some commitments, restructured my life, and discovered the true meaning of self-care. This would not have been possible without the support of my family and friends throughout this time, and they know who they are! Things began to change. I started reconnecting with the stories that inspired me—Christopher McCandless, Cheryl Strayed, Liam Brown. I realised that, deep down, I wanted an adventure of my own.

Cheryl Strayed interviewed as part of walking the PCT

The idea of leaving my career terrified me. My job was my identity, my safety, my ego. But then, a thought changed everything: What will I think about my life on my deathbed?

Will I be proud of the hours spent at my desk? Or will I wish I had spent more time watching sunsets, exploring the world, and embracing the unknown?

Would I be prouder of a long resume or a lifetime of stories?

I had the freedom to work remotely, travel, and explore the world, but I wanted to start with a challenge—one that brought me back to my roots. So, I walked away. I left my job, my career, my safety net. And I chose something far scarier: uncertainty. That’s when I decided: I would walk the South West Coast Path. At 630 miles (1,000+ km), it’s a brutal trek, physically demanding, mentally exhausting, and requiring full self-reliance. I would carry my home on my back, rough sleeping along the way, with only myself to push through the hardest days. Could I do it? My mind felt ready, but my body? Not so much. After this, reading The Salt Path only fuelled my curiosity... Surely if Moth could get stronger with every step, so could I? Could I prove to myself that I was capable of more than I ever imagined?

No More Waiting, The Journey Begins

For months, I planned, postponed, revised, and hesitated. “Just a few more months.” “Just one more quarter.” The excuses were endless, until I decided enough was enough. So, in early 2025, I officially quit my job and committed to starting this journey. No more delays. No more waiting for the ‘perfect’ time. Since then, I’ve been:

✅ Training with regular walks

✅ Teaching myself photography, videography, and drone flying

✅ Building this blog and social media presence

I’ll set out in April, starting from Minehead and following the coastline through Devon, Cornwall, and up to Poole. I’ll pass through places that shaped my childhood, walk past my home in Newquay, and push myself beyond anything I’ve ever done before. And I won’t stop there...

After this, maybe I’ll tackle Land’s End to John O’Groats, or the coastline of Wales and Ireland. Maybe I’ll take this journey overseas. Wherever I go next, this is just the beginning.

Join Me On My Adventure

This blog will document every step, the highs, the struggles, and the moments that change me. You can also follow along on:

📍 TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook for real-time updates

📍 This blog for deeper reflections and some minor waffle! Ok... lots of waffle.

As Christopher McCandless said: "So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation… Nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future".—Christopher McCandless

I refuse to let life pass me by. This is my escapade. This is Escapade with Dan.

See you on the trail!

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