Woman quits £43K corporate job to pick grapes for free in Italy - 'it's awesome'

North Wales Live

8 hours ago

A woman quit her £43,000 corporate job to pick grapes in rural Italy after a 'devastating' break-up - and is urging others to adopt a simpler life. Ayla Lannen decided to quit her nine-to-five marketing job earlier this year in a bid to break out of her 'monotonous' routine and avoid 'burn-out'.
The 27-year-old also felt spurred into quitting the corporate grind following the end of her three-year relationship, which led her to reconsider the trajectory of her life. Ayla decided to leave her high-earning job as an engagement manager in marketing for a slower pace of life in rural Italy.
Last month, Ayla flew from London for the Italian countryside to take an unpaid job picking grapes at a winery every day. Despite receiving no income, Ayla has all her meals and accommodation included, insisting that she's getting paid more than enough in experience and core memories.
Ayla added that she's learned more in her weeks working at the winery than in the years she spent climbing the corporate ladder. Now a certified fruit-picker, Ayla is urging others to consider swapping out their own nine-to-fives for a simpler life outdoors.
She plans to eventually return to London but to work in hospitality so that she can maintain the 'flexibility' to travel that her new lifestyle brings. Ayla, who is originally from Sydney, Australia, said: "I learned a lot in my old job but I felt like something was lacking and missing from my life.
"I was spending four hours a day commuting into work. It was getting monotonous and repetitive. It could've led to burn out. I just felt a disconnect and fatigue. I just thought, do I really want to keep grinding every day for my paycheck and not really have anything to show for it.
"What kind of propelled me to go to the UK was that I had just gotten out of a three-year relationship with my ex. We had just drifted apart and got to the point where I couldn't do it anymore. It was devastating.
"We were living together and after that ended it was a sudden halt in where I thought the rest of my life was heading. "I had time to re-evaluate the trajectory of where I wanted to be. All of my friends are in long-term relationships. I'm just doing the complete opposite.
"People say 'aren't you worried about not finding someone?' but that's not even on my cards right now." The idea came when Ayla stumbled upon a website advertising grape-picking near the neighbourhood of Tortona, Italy.
A week later, Ayla moved her life into the Italian countryside, where she spends her mornings and evenings working among the vineyards. Ayla said: "I really wanted to have that authentic experience of working in a winery.
"I'm just in the fields picking grapes - it's awesome. The family is teaching us about what the whole process entails. "And my love for wine is part of the reason why I chose this too. It's very quiet here and you have that time to reflect.
"I feel like I learned more in two weeks at the winery than I did in two years at my old job. Although I'm not getting paid any actual income, I'm getting paid in experience and building these core memories I'll always hold onto. Money comes and goes.
"I think it'll actually make me a better worker if I ever go back into corporate. There is no timeline and it's your life at the end of the day. Never live your life for someone else.
"I definitely recommend it - it's an amazing experience. It's everything I've ever needed at this time in my life. Even though it's 'unconventional', you can always go back to that corporate lifestyle. It'll always be there."
Ayla plans to return to live and work in London but vows not to return to a corporate job to maintain her freedom. Ayla said: "I know I'm going to come back to London eventually, I know I want to be based here.
"I want to be able to relax, travel and have that flexibility so am planning on getting a job in hospitality after. I want the flexibility to travel again."