Hi, I’m Leigh.
Born in Scotland but raised by the South African sunshine in Johannesburg. I’m a marketing professional by day, mom of two, stepmom of two, and granny of two. Yes, that’s a lot of twos—just like my passports. (Thanks, bureaucracy.)
Why I Started Leigh’s Life
Picture this: I’m in yet another meeting (seriously, why do marketers spend more time in meetings than actually marketing?), and I can’t help but wonder how my life turned into an endless loop of calendar invites and managing other people’s to-do lists. Somewhere along the climb up the corporate ladder, the joy of creativity, the part of marketing I love, got buried under KPIs and staff appraisals.
At the same time, my kids had flown the coop, leaving behind a quiet house and a calendar no longer filled with school runs, sports matches, and taxi duty. Cue the empty nest syndrome. I could have stayed home, replaying memories of the good old days and convincing myself that my prime was over. But where’s the fun in that?
I decided it was time to start trading boardrooms for boarding passes. Midlife might come with its share of bumps (hello, menopausal mood swings), but it’s also the perfect time to hit reset and start living for you.
That’s how Leigh’s Life was born. A place where I can finally scratch that creative itch and share what I love most: travel. And let’s be clear: I’m not slowing down just because I’m closer to 50 than 40. If anything, I’m speeding up. I travel with my partner, who’s as obsessed with collecting passport stamps as I am with finding the perfect cocktail. We’ve got multiple passports between us (thanks, life choices), but our hearts are forever South African.
This blog is my permission slip to embrace this chapter of life unapologetically. Sure, there are still family and work commitments, but it’s also time to lean into the things that make us feel alive, inspired, and downright giddy.
I have no idea what Leigh’s Life will turn into, but isn’t that half the fun? All I know is this: creating something new feels damn good. And if I can inspire even one person to start trading their meeting minutes for a return ticket to paradise, then I’ll consider it a win.
Always remember that some days may feel long, but the years? They fly by. Live in the moment!
Why Midlife?
There’s plenty of travel advice out there if you’re 20 years younger than me with kids in tow, or if you’re retired and chasing the sun year-round. But what about the rest of us? The “in-betweeners” who’ve spent decades paying for our kids’ education and now have both the time and the financial freedom to explore? Hellooo? Where’s our guidebook?
If you’re in your 40s or 50s and looking for travel tips that cater to our stage of life—where quality accommodation, good value, and working aircon are non-negotiables—then you’ve come to the right place. And yes, blackout curtains are essential.
My Travel Style
I’m a 5-star kind of girl. I love the comforts of home, and I’m not ashamed to admit that when I travel, I prefer someone else to cook. (I get enough of the kitchen at home, thank you very much.) Give me a plush bed, good linen, and air conditioning that doesn’t quit, and I’m happy.
Where I Want to Go
Rome has been calling my name for years. It’s a bucket list biggie. After that, a road trip through Tuscany because, well, who doesn’t want to live their best “Under the Tuscan Sun” life? And let’s not forget Australia’s Gold Coast—sun, sand, and maybe a kangaroo sighting or two.
Want to follow along for more adventures? You can catch me on Instagram or TikTok—because yes, even in midlife, we can still figure out TikTok.