#LifeLessons - The Biggest Life Learnings Of Katherine Read

NAME: Katherine Read

INSTAGRAM HANDLE: @theholidaymode / @iamkatherineread / @short_stay_circle

JOB TITLE: Founder of The Holiday Mode and Short Stay Circle

Katherine Read is the founder of The Holiday Mode and Short Stay Circle, two purpose-led ventures rooted in connection, curation, and community.

With nearly two decades of leadership experience in education, she brings a people-first, strategic approach to the hospitality and short-stay space.

Based in Dubai, Katherine is focused on elevating guest experiences and fostering collaboration across the industry.

Today Katherine shares her biggest life learnings with us:

 #Life Lesson 1: Trust your gut, even when it’s uncomfortable

Learning to trust your gut isn’t always straightforward. I recently listened to a podcast that explored the difference between intuition and fear and it really stuck with me. Sometimes the two can feel similar, but they come from very different places. Your gut isn’t always loud, but it is consistent.

One of the biggest moments I’ve trusted mine was when I moved to Dubai. Life in London was great. I had a stable job, close friends, and family nearby. But I couldn’t shake the sense that I needed a change. It didn’t necessarily make perfect sense on paper, but I packed up, sold everything, and went. It was bold, scary but it was absolutely right.

In both business and life, my best decisions have come from tuning into that instinct, whether that’s walking away from something that looked good on the outside or saying yes to something untested but aligned. If something feels off, it probably is. If something lights you up, even if it scares you, it’s probably worth exploring. Your gut is often just a few steps ahead of where your head is willing to go.

#LIFELESSON – 2: Stay true to your values, especially when it’s tempting not to

Your values are what anchor you. Not just when things are going well, but when things feel unclear or pressured. The more I grow professionally, the more I find myself returning to this. I’ve been reading more, listening to more conversations, and being really deliberate about how I shape my thinking - Atomic Habits by James Clear has been a recent favourite for this. It talks about how your identity is built from what you repeat and I think values are very similar.

There’ve been moments in life where sticking to my values hasn’t been the easiest route but it’s always been the one that’s felt right. It can be tempting to compromise when something looks like an opportunity, or to make a decision based on convenience over alignment. But when you do that, the cracks show quickly.

Values hold you accountable, even when no one’s watching. And when you build around them, not only do you trust yourself more, but the right people tend to gravitate towards you too. That matters in every part of life.

#LIFELESSON – 3: Travel isn’t always about escape, it’s about perspective

I was lucky enough to visit New Zealand with my family when I was 18. But funnily enough, it was the stopover in Hong Kong that stuck with me. In just a few hours, I was exposed to cultural differences that completely shifted how I understood the world. That trip sparked something and it’s stayed with me ever since.

Travel doesn’t need to be dramatic to be meaningful. It’s not about quitting your job or chasing a big escape. Sometimes it’s just stepping into someone else’s space long enough to listen, learn, and shift how you see things.

The biggest impact of travel isn’t necessarily the scenery, it’s the perspective. It stretches your assumptions, your comfort zones, and sometimes your patience. But it’s always worth it. Even the short trips have shaped how I think, how I relate to others, and how I work.

Whether it’s a city break, a solo trip, or a complete change of pace, I’d say always be open to it. Especially the moments that feel unfamiliar. That’s usually where the most growth comes from.