When 27-year-old Amanda Sommer left her job as a flight attendant, she expected change—but not the kind that would reshape her personal life as much as her professional one. Originally from Hartlepool, England, Amanda says her transition to a new line of work brought financial freedom but also unexpected challenges in finding and maintaining a relationship.
Amanda spent several years working for Ryanair, traveling across Europe and enjoying the rhythm of life as part of a flight crew. But over time, the demands of the job—irregular hours, time away from home, and the toll on her personal life—made her reconsider her path. Eventually, she decided to leave the airline industry and move back home to live with her partner.
At first, she had enough savings to manage while she figured out her next move. “I thought I’d take a short break, then find something else,” Amanda recalls. But when her savings began to dwindle, she needed an income source that would give her flexibility and avoid the rigid scheduling of her previous role.
Through conversations and online research, Amanda discovered a subscription-based digital platform where creators share content with paying subscribers. The appeal was clear: she could work from home, set her own hours, and rely on nothing more than her phone and internet connection.
Initially, she viewed it as a temporary opportunity—something to bridge the gap until she found a more conventional role. But as her subscriber base grew, so did her income. Within months, Amanda was earning more than she had in her previous job, enough to support herself comfortably without taking on another form of employment.
“It was surprising how quickly it took off,” she says. “I didn’t expect it to become my full-time work, but it made sense financially.”
While her new career was a financial success, it soon became a point of tension in her personal life. Amanda’s partner, once supportive of her search for flexible work, reacted negatively when he learned the nature of her online business. According to Amanda, he felt the job crossed boundaries in their relationship.
“He told me it was something he couldn’t accept,” she explains. “He gave me an ultimatum: either I stop the work, or we go our separate ways.”
Faced with the decision, Amanda chose to continue her new career. She emphasizes that her choice wasn’t about prioritizing work over love for its own sake, but about holding on to financial stability and professional independence. The breakup, however, was the beginning of a pattern.
Over the next year, Amanda’s dating life followed a similar script. She says that in her last three relationships, the outcome was the same—once her partner learned about her work, things ended. Some men reacted strongly to the fact that she hadn’t mentioned it upfront, while others decided early on that they weren’t comfortable with her profession.
“It keeps happening,” Amanda says. “If I tell them straight away, most don’t want to take things further. If I wait to bring it up, they feel I should have told them sooner. Either way, it’s difficult.”
Amanda believes there are a few reasons behind these reactions. She acknowledges that the nature of her work is considered unconventional by some, and that personal values can differ widely. She also suspects that her earnings may sometimes cause tension. “Some men don’t like that I earn more than they do,” she says. “It’s not the only reason, but I think it can add to the discomfort.”
Working from home has also introduced a kind of social isolation that Amanda didn’t experience in her airline days. “Back when I was flying, I was constantly meeting new people—crew members, passengers, people in different cities,” she recalls. Now, her days are spent largely at home, without colleagues or an office environment.
This change has made it harder to meet potential partners in person. “It’s a job that keeps you indoors, and that can make you feel cut off from everyday social life,” Amanda explains. “It’s not just about dating—it affects friendships and your overall connection to the outside world.”
Looking for the Right Match
Despite the setbacks, Amanda hasn’t given up on the idea of finding someone compatible. She says she’s looking for a partner who is adventurous, enjoys travel, and is open-minded about different career paths. Ideally, she’d like to meet “the old-fashioned way”—through mutual friends, at events, or in day-to-day life—rather than online.
“I want to meet someone in real life, someone who shares my interests and isn’t put off by what I do for work,” she says. “It’s important to me that they understand it’s a job like any other in the sense that it’s my source of income.”
Amanda also points out that her work has allowed her to reach personal goals, such as adopting a dog and planning for future travel. “I’ve worked hard for what I have, and I’d like to share that with someone who sees the bigger picture.”
Why Career Choices Can Affect Relationships
Experts in relationship psychology note that careers can influence romantic compatibility in several ways—through values, lifestyle, and the practical realities of how work is structured. Dr. Elaine Carter, a London-based relationship counselor, says, “It’s not just about what the job is. It’s about how it aligns with each partner’s expectations, comfort levels, and shared vision for the future.”
She adds that any job that is outside the norm or highly visible to the public can sometimes trigger strong opinions. “When a profession challenges social norms or personal boundaries, it requires open communication and mutual respect to navigate successfully.”
Balancing Independence and Partnership
For Amanda, the challenge is balancing the independence her career gives her with the connection she’s looking for in a partner. “I’m proud of being able to support myself, but I also want someone to share my life with,” she says. “Finding the right person who understands both sides is the hard part.”
She remains hopeful, even if the search has been frustrating at times. “I’ve been single for a while now, but I know what I’m looking for,” she says. “It’s just about finding someone who can accept all aspects of who I am, including what I do for a living.”
The Bigger Picture
Amanda’s story highlights a broader conversation about how modern careers—especially those made possible by digital platforms—intersect with traditional expectations in relationships. As more people turn to unconventional forms of work, the question of compatibility may increasingly revolve around how couples handle differences in income, lifestyle, and public perception.
While Amanda acknowledges that her career may not appeal to everyone, she hopes it will one day be seen for what it is to her: a professional choice that allows her to live life on her own terms. “I just want to meet someone who sees me beyond the job title,” she says. “That’s what really matters.”
