Have you ever looked at your payslip and thought, “What the hell is this?” More numbers, more deductions, less in your pocket. At the same time, bills are rising, jobs feel insecure, and burnout is now the leading cause of long-term absence in the UK workplace. So the question many ambitious professionals are asking is this:

“Should I stay, or should I go?”

Should you pack your bags for Portugal, Dubai, or Canada? Or should you stay put and fight for a different kind of future here in the UK? In this article, I want to unpack that dilemma. Not with quick-fix answers, but with grounded insights and frameworks you can actually use to make the right decision for you.

This is not about escapism. It is about clarity, ownership, and designing a career and a life that works on your terms.

The Pressure Cooker: Why So Many Are Considering Leaving

Let’s be honest. Working in the UK has been exhausting. Between Brexit, the pandemic, inflation, and the constant noise of politics, it is no wonder many of us feel squeezed.

According to the ONS, while wages have technically increased, in real terms, most workers are earning less than they did five years ago. At the same time, the cost of living has soared, and opportunities for genuine career growth often feel concentrated in London or in sectors like tech and finance.

The result? Burnout. The CIPD has reported that burnout is now the number one reason for long-term workplace absence.

I know this feeling first-hand. I have burned out at least five times in my career. The most recent was in 2020. I was signed off for a month, exhausted and disillusioned. That pause forced me to ask: “Do I want to feel like this for the next five years?” My answer was a clear no. That period of reflection pushed me to rethink my direction and eventually led me into independent consulting and contracting.

This is the Problem. The system is broken for many of us. Staying in it without change does not just cost you income. It slowly erodes your confidence, your energy, and your hope.

The Hidden Cost of Staying Put

Every time you push through another stressful week without change… Every time you downgrade your lifestyle to stay afloat… Every time you tell yourself, “It will get better soon” but it does not… you are not just losing money.

You are sacrificing clarity, autonomy, and ultimately, your future.

I have seen this happen to colleagues and friends. They cling to the promise of stability, only to wake up five years later in the same postcode, same job title, same fatigue, while others seem to be moving forward.

The hidden cost is confidence. And without confidence, it is hard to make bold career moves.

So if you are feeling the squeeze, do not ignore it. Recognise it as the Action point: the moment you decide whether you will reclaim your career or let it drift.

Beyond Borders: New Career Models to Consider

Now here is the exciting part. For the first time in history, we actually have options. Technology, remote work, and global connectivity mean you can build a career that is not tied to a single city or even a single country.

Here are three shifts I recommend exploring:

1. New Income Models

Do not rely on one employer or client to pay your bills. Think about income streams that are:

• Global serving clients beyond the UK
  
• Remote not tied to a physical office
  
• Digital is scalable through technology
  

When I first stepped into consulting, I had to learn this the hard way. I realised quickly that having a single contract was not enough. By diversifying through consulting, training, and digital resources, I built resilience into my income.

Result: Autonomy. You stop being at the mercy of one employer’s budget cuts.

2. Remote First Roles

The pandemic proved what we already knew. Many jobs can be done from anywhere. Yet many UK employers cling to “hybrid” as code for “be in the office three days a week.”

But global companies, particularly in tech, finance, and digital services, are far more flexible. Remote-first roles are not a silver bullet, but they are a growing opportunity if you are willing to position yourself for them.

Ask yourself: Could I land a remote role serving international clients without leaving Manchester or Birmingham? The answer is often yes if you have the skills and positioning.

3. High-Growth Sectors

LinkedIn data and reports from the World Economic Forum show that the future lies in sectors like:

• Finance and fintech
  
• Digital and data, including analytics, AI, and automation
  
• Green tech and sustainability
  
• Remote consulting
  

These are not just buzzwords. They represent where investment and, therefore, opportunity are flowing. When I began learning about AI and automation, I realised how quickly demand for skills was shifting. By staying ahead of the curve, you future-proof your career. It does not mean that there are not opportunities elsewhere, they just may appear less apparent.

A Framework for Clarity: Rethink, Reclaim, Relocate

So how do you actually decide whether to stay or go? Here is the framework I use with clients, and the one I used myself during my 2020 burnout:

1. Rethink

Challenge the default assumption that career progression means staying in the same job for 10 years, tolerating burnout, or depending on one employer for stability. There are no rules, only consequences. And if you can manage those consequences, you unlock freedom.

For me, rethinking meant pausing during my burnout to ask: “What do I actually want?” That simple but uncomfortable question changed my trajectory.

2. Reclaim

Take ownership of your next step.

• Research in-demand skills in your sector
  
• Upskill through focused, short courses, not always a degree
  
• Update your CV for global relevance
  
• Explore marketplaces like Upwork, Catalant, or industry-specific platforms
  

This is about aligning your skillset with market demand. When I reclaimed my career, I started with simple steps. Talking to people in my network, updating my portfolio, and exploring contracts. That process built momentum.

3. Relocate

This does not have to mean moving abroad. Relocation can be:

• Mental shifting how you see your career
  
• Local moving to a UK city with lower costs and a better balance
  
• Global: choosing a country that aligns with your values, lifestyle, and opportunities
  

If moving abroad excites you, great. But do not do it out of panic. Do it from clarity.

I have had friends move to Dubai. Some thrived, others struggled. The difference? The ones who did the research, visiting first, testing the waters, checking if policies, culture, and opportunities aligned with their values, built a sustainable life.

Bonus Tip: Do not Chase the Greener Grass Blindly

The grass is not always greener. But it can be if you are intentional. If moving to Portugal gives you lower tax, a healthier lifestyle, and better alignment with your goals, fantastic. But if you are just running from burnout without a plan, you might find yourself in the same trap, only with different scenery.

Final Thoughts

You do not need to escape to change your life. You just need the courage to rethink it, reclaim it, and redesign it on your own terms.

So, should you stay or should you go? That depends on what clarity, freedom, and opportunity look like for you.

Here is my challenge to you. Take one hour this week. Sit down, no distractions, and ask yourself honestly, “Am I living a life that aligns with my values, or am I running to stand still?”

Your answer to that question is where your next chapter begins.

Understand. Reach. Expand.

Peace.