A Grown Up's Gap Year

I Did a Shirley Valentine: Took a Gap Year and Found Myself

Monique van Tulder Season 1 Episode 12

A replay of an Episode where the mic is turned and I am a guest of Your 2nd Act host Michelle Parsonage: Imagine reaching midlife and deciding to take a gap year, on your own, without your family, and without all the usual responsibilities.

How many times have you thought, "I wish I could just do that," but for some reason, you don’t because you’re scared of change and the unknown? Well, today’s guest is anything but scared of having a go. Monique van Tulder took the leap. She stepped away from her busy life, not to escape, but to reconnect with herself, recharge, and rediscover who she truly is. Monique’s gap year wasn’t about running away from life, it was about creating the time and space she needed for self-reflection and personal growth. Her journey not only gave her the clarity she needed but also inspired her to write A Grown Up’s Gap Year. In her book, Monique shares how taking time for yourself, embracing change, and stepping into the unknown can lead to a deeper understanding of who you are and what you want from life.

Monique offers practical advice for women who feel stuck or overwhelmed, reminding us that it’s never too late to make a change. Sometimes, all it takes is asking, "Why not now?"


📚 Get your copy of A Grown Up’s Gap Year the book, from Amazon, moniquevantulder.com, bookshops and libraries, subscribe to the podcast, and take the first step toward your own A Grown Up’s Gap Year.