Every big change in life comes with a financial cost, sure, but few people make these decisions based purely on a dollar amount. There are countless other factors we consider when taking the leap to buy a house, switch careers, move across the country—or take two years off to sail across the Pacific Ocean
Our new series What It Cost Me explores the true cost of life’s biggest moments, beyond the total on the credit card statement or the dent in your savings account. It’s meant to highlight the emotional, professional, and time costs behind big financial decisions.
The inaugural story features Joy Archer, a 52-year-old writer in the tech industry who took a two-year career sabbatical starting in September 2021 to sail the world with her husband, Harry. Joy’s story is one of adventure, bravery, triumph, and also consequence; one year into her trip, the tech world was rattled by mass layoffs that are still reverberating through the industry—and impacting Joy’s livelihood—today.
Previously a freelance writer who earned a $250,000 annual income, Joy had to pivot upon her return to land, eventually taking a full-time role with a salary around half of what she once earned as a freelancer. She details for The Purse the considerations that went into her decisions, how she’s faring two years after returning to land, and why she doesn’t regret her choice.
-Alicia
The responses below are lightly edited.
Name: Joy
Age: 52
Location: Seattle
Relationship status: Married
What was your financial and career situation before your trip?
I’m a writer in the tech industry. For 20 years I’ve run my own business, with the exception of a couple one-year stints as an employee for this or that enthusiastic client. I got my big break in 2010 with Microsoft, writing speeches, presentations, and marketing materials. I’ve had other tech clients, too, but Microsoft was (and is) that cornerstone client.
My revenue had slowly grown over time as I got more experience, acquired new clients and learned to set my fees appropriately. In each of the two years before we sailed off the dock, my one-person business earned $250,000. I was on track to earn the same amount in 2021, when I announced to clients I’d be taking a two-year sabbatical, and I put my business on pause.
What went into your decision to take a sabbatical?
Why would I step back from my career just when I’d reached my peak earning years? It wasn’t an easy decision, but it would have been even harder if we’d delayed. Sailing the world was a lifelong dream for my husband, Harry, and we saw an empty window before we entered the stage of caring for aging parents (and hopefully, eventually grandchildren). We’d owned our 40-year-old blue water sailboat for 12 years, and Harry had spent so much time outfitting it for our adventure. Our thinking was: If not now, when?
How did you finance the trip?
