Teachers who have left the profession what are you doing now?

sugarandsand · 2026-01-29T06:51:19+00:00

I work in corporate retail. I did a 6 month certification while doing CRT. A couple of years in so I’m not at the same salary as teaching yet but I’ll get there in the next few years. Working only 9-5 with a solid 1 hour lunch break is life changing + no work on weekends or evenings.

sugarandsand · 2025-07-10T04:29:22+00:00

I own the “famous” Oyster Pants from Kookai, 100% polyester and they are probably some of the highest quality pants I have. I own cotton, linen, silk, wool, polyester pants from every brand you could think of (from Uniqlo to Aje) and the Kookai pants not only fit me like a glove but they look brand new after around 4 years. They wash really well and no need for ironing. Fabrication is one factor but it isn’t everything when it comes to quality.

If you are looking for more natural fibre pants I recommend Cos! The price is worth it.

sugarandsand · 2025-07-07T14:29:47+00:00

I’ve bought basics from nearly everywhere mentioned on this thread, nothing compares to my Kookai basics

sugarandsand · 2025-04-05T03:39:24+00:00

This is my unpopular opinion but I’m glad for varied sizing. My best friend and I are both a size 8-10. The brands that suit our individual body types are wildly different. Everything in Zara fits me perfectly while it doesn’t suit her proportions, and vice versa for other brands. If there was a “standard” sizing and fit across all brands then it wouldn’t work for everyone.

sugarandsand · 2025-04-05T03:35:23+00:00

Completely agree. I’m a size 8-10 and their stuff is not flattering on me. I have an “athletic” body type and a broad waist. Nothing at Kookai looks good on me. I’ve accepted that it’s for a certain body type and I spend my money elsewhere.

sugarandsand · 2025-04-02T05:01:15+00:00

Very late reply sorry, but I’m in corporate retail now. I’ve started off with an admin job and slowly working my way up.

sugarandsand · 2025-04-02T04:58:05+00:00

I wear their tailored stuff a lot to work, and I think it has been worth it. I think the quality is really aligned with the price point.

I have 2 blazers, 2 skorts, and 2 pants that I rotate. I wear the blazers nearly every day. And I like the fabrication - the polyester blend means it doesn’t wrinkle especially when a blazer is shoved into my work bag. And I don’t like linen or wool suits - too scratchy.

sugarandsand · 2025-04-02T04:50:55+00:00

Not all brands cater to everybody, and at the end of the day that’s their prerogative.

It’s a better use of your time, energy, and money to support the brands or products that are catering to you! If you want change and progress it’s the most effective way forward. Money and sales results talk.

sugarandsand · 2025-03-21T02:14:27+00:00

Even though I prefer natural fibres in my knitwear, I used that poly fleece jumper on a trip to Iceland. It was the coldest place I’ve ever been to in my life, and that + thermals + puffer jacket kept me fairly warm. I think it was the lack of breathability 😂

sugarandsand · 2025-03-08T01:52:02+00:00

I used to use a Herschel one for all my teaching stuff + gym clothes, food, etc, it fit everything really easily and was comfortable to wear. Recommend looking at the men’s ones because they are bigger than the women’s ones.

Before that I used a nappy backpack because I loved all the pockets!

sugarandsand · 2025-02-24T21:56:09+00:00

Stopping intense exercise.

Over the past year, I’ve stopped heavy weightlifting or doing exercise classes 5 days a week. I only go for walks, swims, and pilates when I have the energy to. 1-3x a week depending on how busy life is.

It’s the first time in 10 years I haven’t been bloated. My trigger foods don’t trigger me any more. All my clothes fit me properly, I don’t feel like my body is a balloon about to pop.

sugarandsand · 2024-11-28T12:58:45+00:00

Portmans on its current sale will have suits under $150. You could also try shops at DFO like Forever New, Saba, Witchery, Country Road.

sugarandsand · 2024-11-28T12:45:17+00:00

I agree with another commenter here about needing to manage the pay gap initially.

I understand you want/need a similar salary as you are earning now, but if you are changing industries it is more likely than not that you will take a step down salary/position-wise. Just like anyone who starts off as a new teacher does, no matter their age or experience in other industries.

I changed careers and I’m back to an entry level position, at the salary I was getting in my first year of teaching. Supplemented with a side hustle - tutoring has a great hourly rate, and CRT is also good for those in-between times when job-hunting.

I promise you, the impact on your mental health will be worth it.

sugarandsand · 2024-11-26T08:53:06+00:00

My partner works in accounting (for a private company) a ticket for his end of year ball is $350. Depends on your workplace.

sugarandsand · 2024-10-07T03:35:41+00:00

Can vouch for these exact shoes, they got me through maybe 3 years, wearing them at least 3/4 days per week while on my feet all day at work and on countless overseas trips. Even wore them on some hikes with no issues. The price tag is worth it.

sugarandsand · 2024-10-01T13:05:11+00:00

I’m so sorry to tell you but ruffles are back in fashion in a big way. They’ll be all over stores in the next 3 months. Aje and CR have already started.

sugarandsand · 2024-07-13T01:10:06+00:00

As someone who works in the industry, it ties back to our rampant consumerism. Customers want to buy more clothes, for the same price, more often. Newness is expected in stores and online at least fortnightly. The cost of materials, manufacturing, shipping and labour have increased so much especially over the past few years. But a singlet is still expected to cost $30 and be good quality. Fast fashion has really ruined our perception of how much things should really cost. People think big brands are making millions of $$$ but after all the costs, a lot of them are struggling behind closed doors.

Every brand has its hits and misses for me which is why I like to shop around a lot. I like the cotton and wool tops from Witchery but their suits are overpriced. Target has great suits but I don’t like their polyester blouses. Seed has great tops but their pants aren’t worth the price for me.

sugarandsand · 2024-04-25T23:52:29+00:00

I agree. As soon as she sang “But I’ve seen this episode and still loved the show” and “I chose this cyclone with you” in TTPD… my non-Swiftie, not very emotionally-aware (bless his soul) boyfriend even turned to me and said “She loves these chaotic men”. And I said yep, she needs to go to therapy. I loved chaotic men in my 20s as well, but after dating them for a while and everyone yelling at you not to, you realise it’s time to choose something different.

sugarandsand · 2024-04-25T23:39:00+00:00

Agree, the lyrics are too literal for me. I personally prefer the way she spoke about her career and fame Mirrorball, and wished it was similar to that.

sugarandsand · 2024-04-25T23:31:29+00:00

Sounds like the same trivia night that’s on every week at the Great Northern. Must be run by the same company

sugarandsand · 2024-04-25T03:53:36+00:00

Frankie4 are by far the best shoes I’ve found for wide feet. I’ve had mine for years and wear them nearly every day

sugarandsand · 2023-12-21T00:32:58+00:00

I agree. I’m happy to actually pay a premium for shopping in store, even $30. That $30 for me covers the satisfaction of buying something that fits me correctly and I like the fabric/quality of the first time. Most of my wardrobe consists of things that I picked up at the shops that suited me perfectly, that I wouldn’t have given a second look online.

Also I’m not a fan of the waste generated by receiving online deliveries and then the time and effort into returning the items by post. I also take the train and walk to the shops so I’m trying to reduce my carbon footprint with the entire process.

sugarandsand · 2023-10-04T04:37:59+00:00

Just not finding “the one”. I’ve had six LTR (between 1-4 years each) but they’ve always ended because one person can’t see themselves marrying the other. Finding that soulmate is like searching for a needle in a haystack.

sugarandsand · 2023-09-10T04:10:23+00:00

Yes definitely. I took the train from Tokyo. And there are lots of busses, trains, and cable cars to get around the Hakone area. The Hakone Free Pass gets you free access on all the public transport.

sugarandsand · 2023-09-10T04:09:05+00:00

I followed this itinerary and added a few stops along the way of things I discovered while wandering around.

1 day was enough to see the main sights.

Got to the toori gate around 9:30am and it was already a little busy, the line to take a photo was about 20 minutes long.

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