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Sophia Moulson, 23, has left the UK for Chiang Mai, Thailand, after saying she became exhausted by a routine that involved working across three jobs and spending up to 15 hours a day focused on earning a living. The young woman had been juggling work as a salon barber, care assistant and online fitness coach before deciding to move abroad and build a different lifestyle.
Moulson said her schedule left little time for herself, with Sunday often being her only opportunity to rest. Even then, she would sometimes take additional care shifts or arrange private hair appointments to supplement her income.
Rather than continuing with a routine she felt was unsustainable, she decided to relocate to Thailand, where she says she has been able to reduce her working hours while spending more time on activities outside work.
Before moving to Thailand, Moulson had divided her working life between three different roles. Her work as a barber and care assistant provided regular employment, while she was also developing an online fitness coaching business.
The combination meant that much of her week was taken up by work. She said she had become increasingly aware that the lifestyle she was building was leaving little room for rest, hobbies or personal development.
After moving to Chiang Mai, Moulson says she now spends only a few hours a day working on her online business.
The additional time has allowed her to return to interests that were difficult to maintain during her previous routine, including going to the gym, painting and exploring the city and surrounding areas.
Her experience has prompted her to reassess the balance between income, work and personal time.
One of the most significant changes Moulson describes is the difference in her monthly living expenses.
She says her apartment in Chiang Mai costs around £500 a month and includes access to a swimming pool, round-the-clock security and views of the surrounding area.
According to Moulson, her water and electricity bills together come to approximately £50 a month. She also says a full tank of fuel for her rented motorbike costs around £4.77.
Eating out is another area where she says she has noticed a substantial difference. Moulson estimates that meals at local restaurants can cost as little as £5.
She puts her total monthly spending, including accommodation, food, activities and general living expenses, at approximately £1,500.
These figures are based on Moulson's own reported spending and can vary considerably depending on location, accommodation, lifestyle and individual circumstances.
For Moulson, the move has not simply been about reducing expenses. She says having more control over her working hours has given her the opportunity to establish a routine centred around activities she enjoys.
Gym sessions, painting and exploring have become part of her everyday life, while she has also started learning Thai.
The move represents a significant change from the schedule she maintained in Britain, when working several jobs left her with limited free time.
Moulson said she had been prepared to work long hours because she was focused on creating a different future for herself. However, she now believes the experience has shown her the importance of having time away from work.
Moulson has said she does not intend to return to the UK for the foreseeable future.
Reflecting on the decision, she said: “Either way, I know that when I'm older, I'll be grateful that I had the courage to do this while I was young.”
She acknowledged that her previous work-life balance was not ideal, but said she had been willing to accept the demanding schedule because she was determined to build a different life.
“Looking back, I definitely didn’t have the best work/life balance, but at the time I was so focused on building a different life for myself that I was willing to put in the hours,” she said.
Moulson's experience reflects one young person's decision to prioritise flexibility and lifestyle after a period of intense work.
Moving overseas, however, involves more than comparing monthly expenses. Visa requirements, healthcare, insurance, taxation, employment rules and long-term financial planning can all affect the practicality and cost of living abroad.
For Moulson, the immediate result has been a lifestyle in which she says she has more time for her business, hobbies and exploring Chiang Mai.
Her story also highlights a broader personal question facing many young workers: how much time should be devoted to earning and building a career, and how much should be protected for life outside work?
For now, Moulson appears determined to continue exploring that balance in Thailand, while learning the local language and developing her online business from Chiang Mai.
