From Stethoscopes to Suitcases – My Journey of Change (and Mild Panic)

Up until this week, I was working full-time in the NHS, where I'd spent the better part of 20 years deciphering doctor's handwriting, surviving back-to-back shifts, and learning how to drink coffee that was always cold. I never imagined I’d trade it all in for passports, packing lists, and researching which countries have the best cocktail-to-beach ratio.

But here we are.

Last year, I made a huge decision: to turn my passion for travel into a full-time business. Yes… I waved goodbye to job security, a regular wage, and a corridor of colleagues running around like me… to follow a new dream. Something that started as a desire to learn something new, but quickly became something I couldn’t ignore.

Let me tell you – it’s been a journey.

And not the kind where you get a welcome drink and an upgrade to business class. This has been the kind of journey where you feel like the new kid at school every day, you forget your password to the million new IT systems at 10pm on a Friday night, and then question your life choices at 3am while Googling “how to go viral on Instagram without dancing.”

But it’s also been the kind of journey that reminds you how exciting it is to start something new. I've spent the last 12 months training, learning, and building this business from the ground up. I've helped clients book special surprise trips, family holidays, cruises, solo trips and every time someone sends me a sun-drenched selfie or a message saying “this was the best holiday ever,” it genuinely feels amazing.

There have been hard days, of course. It’s not been easy juggling family life with a full time job and building a new business - all at the same time. There have been times where I’ve questioned my decision to do this and wondered if I could ever make it work.

But through it all, I’ve learned that change is messy, scary, but absolutely worth it!

So why am I telling you all this?

Well, firstly - to say THANK YOU. If you’ve supported me this past year in any way, shape or form. Whether you’ve booked with me, liked a post, or simply asked “so how’s the travel thing going?” then you’ve played a part in getting me here. Truly. Secondly, to say – I am officially open for business… full-time, full-throttle and fully caffeinated.

So if you’re thinking about your next trip (or just want someone to take the stress out of planning), I’d love to help.

Let’s find the right destination, the perfect itinerary, and make sure you pack everything… except the stress.

Here’s to big changes, bold moves, and better holidays. Chin, chin!

Laura.bramfitt@travelcounsellors.com 01706 330052 / 07834731402