Do you dream of quitting the rat race and pursuing a slower pace of life? Perhaps you’re tired of working to make someone else rich or hustling for the next promotion.
We’ve got you covered, the good news is not all jobs are a grind. Here are ten options for getting away from it all and living a simpler existence. Annnnd relax..
Vineyard worker
Average advertised salary: Up to £29 per hour
In wine-coiffing circles, English sparkling is rising up the ranks and gaining a reputation for its quality. Average UK temperatures are rising due to climate change, and alongside the chalky soil conditions in the south, there are excellent growing conditions for English vineyards.
Investors are pouring money into winemaking, with some saying that areas like Kent and Sussex could be the next Champagne. In fact, Viticulture is the fastest-growing agricultural sector in the UK. The sector employs around 2,300 full-time employees, and that number is expected to grow 50% by 2025.
What’s more, at harvest time, the vineyards employ an extra 8,000 workers to pick the ripe grapes. It can be hot, physical work, but we can’t imagine anything more satisfying than picking grapes and coming home with a bottle or two at the end of the day.
Florist
Average advertised salary: £37,491
If you love blooms and have a knack for pulling together gorgeous bouquets, a job as a florist could be for you. Most independent florists will base themselves from a shop, but the big money comes from creating displays for events like weddings, parties, or funerals, as well as the usual Valentine’s and birthday gifts.
Don’t underestimate the long days and early starts required at big events. You may also need a head for heights to install your creations around venues. But all in all, it’s a great choice to combine a love of flowers with the opportunity to be creative.
Cartographer
Average advertised salary: £29,005
Here’s one for the explorers. Cartographers work to develop and make maps by studying the local area and topography. You may also be checking the accuracy of existing maps and making edits or additions. Often, these maps and charts are beautifully designed, meaning this is a perfect path for geographers with an artistic eye.
While a degree in a relevant subject like geography or land surveying may be useful, it’s not needed for this career. You can also become a cartographer via an apprenticeship or by taking on a role as a trainee cartographic technician and working your way up.
B&B owner
Average advertised salary: £32,426
If you love hosting guests and making them feel at home, perhaps opening a B&B could be your calling. Bed & Breakfasts are typically found in tourist hotspots and are more relaxed than hotels, offering just breakfast rather than a fully catered experience.
Owners need to juggle the logistics of taking bookings, turning over rooms, and dishing up hearty breakfasts to score positive reviews and a steady stream of guests. Earnings will vary based on location and size of your B&B, but for those with a flair for hospitality it can be lucrative.
Yoga teacher
Average advertised salary: £35,149
Some of the founding principles of Yoga are living a spiritual and mindful existence, so a job as a yoga teacher is definitely aligned with living a good life.
Yoga practice is growing in popularity and many studios offer courses developing students into teachers. A background in teaching or fitness may be helpful, and you’ll definitely need a few years’ experience in yoga before undergoing training. Classes are typically held at weekends and evenings, leaving your days free. It’s a truly flexible career!
Tea taster
Common starting salary: £25,000
Fancy a cuppa? Did you know that Brits drink over 100,000,000 cups of tea every single day, with a quarter of us drinking three cups a day. Well, somebody needs to taste that tea to make sure it’s hitting the mark and that’s where tea tasters come in.
Tea tasting takes years to learn, with 10,000 hours of training and 450 skills required to be considered an expert. Those aficionados who go on to become ‘tea masters’ get the joy of travelling the world tasting teas in the search of the perfect cup. Could this be one of the best jobs in the world? We think so.
Nutritionist
Average advertised salary: £34,537
Living the good life starts with what you put into your body. That’s where nutritionists come in, using their knowledge of food science to advise clients on how to improve their health by making healthier choices.
While some nutritionists work within large organisations like the NHS, others offer private services to clients or volunteer their time for charities. There’s no set route into the career, but knowledge is key meaning many professionals have previously studied a nutrition degree or masters. The Association for Nutrition maintains a list of nutritionists meeting the preferred standards of training and practice, called the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists.
If you’re interested in helping people feel great and lead a healthy life, a career as a nutritionist could be the recipe for your success.
Outdoor activity leader
Average advertised salary: £33,419
Love the great outdoors? Activity leaders coordinate group trips for adventurous tourists and classes. You could be guiding a group down some rapids, leading a trip up a mountain, or taking a group paddleboarding.
You’ll need to be physically fit, a great communicator, and have the group’s safety front of mind. A first aid certificate is essential, and if you’re leading a water-based activity you’ll need a life-saving certificate too.
One thing’s for sure, it’s a job that makes every day an adventure.
Author
Average advertised salary: Various
Ever wanted to channel Colin Firth in Love Actually and run away to write a book? Us too.
Successfully published-authors typically earn 10-12% of book royalties via the traditional route, where a publishing house handles promotion of a title, but self-publishing is becoming an incredibly common alternative. Self-published authors typically earn between 40-60% of royalties, but will need to self-promote their title.
If you’ve got a knack for social media marketing as well as for writing, leveraging TikTok’s #BookTok community could be one way to get your name out to readers.
Gardener
Average advertised salary: £31,604
There’s a reason gardening has a reputation as good for the soul. Surrounding yourself with nature, and being out in the fresh air and sunlight, is known to reduce stress and anxiety and boost wellbeing. The gentle exercise involved is great for keeping fit too.
Gardening is so good for you in fact, it could be one of the secrets to living a long life. The centenarians living in Blue Zones (areas of the world where people have been found to live the longest) are avid gardeners.
Why not live like a Blue-Zoner every day by becoming a professional gardener? You could earn around £31,000 a year as well as potentially extending your lifespan.
Read more: The best summer jobs for students