A Grown Up’s Gap Year – WellBeing Escapes
Sydney day sessions and carefully curated wellbeing trips to places like Kyoto and the Whitsundays. Think circuit breakers, not life detours.
A Grown Up's Gap Year
Don’t let your epitaph read: ‘F**k, I forgot to live my life
Wish you could run away… just for a bit? You’re not alone. I did – left the to-do lists, the family group chat, the mental clutter.
Not forever. Just long enough to come back clearer, braver… and put myself back in the frame.
I’m Monique van Tulder – author, wellbeing and travel writer, certified nutritionist, and long-time advocate for women making space to breathe. To feel better.
The Grown Up’s Gap Year is the antidote to lifestyle overwhelm.
It’s where wellbeing meets escape, reinvigoration meets real life, and fluff-free inspiration and practical ideas help you feel better – without having to upend your whole life.
I don’t do clichés.
I do clarity, healthspan, curiosity, and joy.
No guilt. No hustle. Just smart tools to reset your days, simplify your lifestyle, and expand what’s possible – starting exactly where you are.
– AS FEATURED IN –
Listen to Monique’s Guest Appearance on the ABC Brisbane Drive Show with Ellen Fanning.
Yellowshelf Podcast Appearance
Wellbeing Travel Guides
In 2009, Monique van Tulder launched a lifestyle blog from her kitchen (departing travel management to care for her boys). It’s grown since then. As a wellbeing mentor, travel writer, nutritionist and movement trainer, Monique has you covered. Helping you design your mid-life magic.
If you are a slow traveller, seek a sense of wellbeing, looking for a side order of adventure, come from a place of curiosity, love ‘Retreats’ that actually restore, and tips from chic women who know the local secrets – you are in the right place.
A Grown Up’s Gap Year – Kyoto
Reinvigoration. Real-life escape. A four-day circuit breaker for women ready to put themselves back in the picture – this time under paper lanterns, amid temple bells, and sitting for a very good hot coffee.
A Grown Up’s Gap Year – Sydney Day Sessions
Register your interest in Small-group, in-person days (harbour beach location) in Sydney that feel like a cross between a strategy session, a wellbeing consult and very honest conversation with women who get it.
A Grown Up’s Gap Year Retreat – The Whitsundays 2026
Reinvigoration. Real-life escape. And a three-day/four-night circuit breaker for women ready to put themselves back in the picture.
A Grown Up's Gap Year - THE PODCAST
Introducing the Grown Up’s Gap Year Podcast – a series of interviews.
Women (& a few blokes) Doing Inspiring Things in Fascinating Places.
The sorts of journeys (physical & internal) that are courageous, creative, and totally joyful. Women who have designed a life that suits them – their path may offer possibilities for your options you may never have considered.
A Grown Up’s Gap Year - THE NEWSLETTER
52 Ideas For Your Version Of A Grown Up’s Gap Year
How To Run Away and Other (mid) Life Handy Hints – Feel more like yourself again – without turning your life upside down. Our First Year Birthday Celebration.
A Grown Up’s Gap Year – The Newsletter #28
If your brain is already halfway to the holidays, this week’s A Grown Up’s Gap Year – The Podcast episode is an armchair ticket to a Greek Island.
I’m talking with artist Desiree Prinsloo, who divides her time between Sydney and the island of Hydra – and who describes mid-life as middle youth. I could not love this sentiment more.
A Grown Up’s Gap Year – The Newsletter #27
If I’d stayed in that executive role instead of doing all of this – work we would’ve had to outsource at real cost – this is roughly what the financial picture would look like.
A Grown Up’s Gap Year – The Newsletter #26
A busy season for all – end-of-year work finish line, gift buying, festive meals, perhaps holidays to pack for… phew.
Join A Grown Up's Gap Year conversations
Get a Free copy of the mid-life reinvigoration Ebook
When I hit mid-life I was in for a rude shock. I found myself at the top of everyone’s ‘people we need’ pyramid, & the bottom of my own. An ‘Eat Pray Runaway’ moment – left a still unanswered question.
What to do with my second- act of life?
I’ve jotted down a few ideas in the attached eBook – a starting point.
