The Power of Taking A Break: My Sabbatical Journey

Six months ago, I hit the pause button on my work life, professional and personal engagements, and even social media. Why? I was feeling drained and realized I had little time left for myself and my loved ones. Unlike previous short breaks and vacations, this time I took a full-blown sabbatical of six months, driven by a sense of urgency as I got older and started re-evaluating my life priorities.

 Taking this break has been incredibly rewarding and I want to share some insights that might inspire you to consider doing the same.

 What’s a Sabbatical?

 Simply put, a sabbatical is a rest or break from your regular work for an extended period of time. They are varied in length, but the usual time is 6 months to a year.

 Why I Took a Sabbatical

·      I was worn out by long-term constant work and personal commitments.

·      I needed time for self-reflection and rejuvenation.

·      I wanted more quality time with my loved ones and close friends.

·      I yearned for new experiences and learning.

·      I wanted to focus on my special projects without distractions or interruptions.

 Telling People About My Break

 This was tricky. While my family,  friends, and close colleagues were most supportive, it was a challenge to convey this to my professional network and on social media. Some people didn’t take me seriously and kept reaching out. My advice? Once you decide to take a break, stick to it. And keep the explanations brief; you don’t owe anyone a lengthy justification.

 Getty Read for the Break

 Preparation is the key. Make sure you have your finances in order, as your income might take a hit. Plan how your daily routine will change—far fewer (or none) meetings, calls and social media activity. Discuss these changes with your family so everyone is on the same page.

 Setting Goals and Outcomes

 Think carefully about what you want to achieve during this period. For me, it was writing a book that was more of a personal nature, and connecting more closely with family and friends. Aim for goals and outcomes that are different, not the same as your usual routine and habits.

 The Benefits

·      I noticed the world around me much more intently because I wasn’t rushing to do the normal things.

·      I appreciated more the value of doing nothing, solitude and silence.

·      I was able to reflect on and eliminate the bad habits that contributed to my feeling of burnout.

·      I didn’t miss the things as much as I thought I would—for example, meetings, conversations, and social media postings.

·      I was much more able to live in the present moment, and not spend so much time thinking about past events, or future plans.

·      I was more able to spend time with the people that meant the most to me, and less time (or none) with others.

·      I felt it was a time for tremendous personal growth in a more intimate, internal way than before.

·      I was able to engage in more rest and rejuvenation.

·      I was able to reassess my professional and personal priorities better.

 The Importance of Doing Nothing

 Don’t underestimate the power of quiet time and solitude. It’s not just about taking a weekend off, it’s about making peace and quiet a daily practice.

 Overcoming the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

 Before my break, my life was a whirlwind of meetings, coaching, mentoring and social media posts. I realized that this constant activity was more about feeding my ego than anything else. Post-sabbatical, I plan to be more selective in my professional and personal engagements.

 Strengthening Personal Bonds

 The biggest win was the time I spent with my family and close friends (including my wonderful dog Jack). The impact was profound and the benefits were immeasurable.

 Summing Up

 Taking a sabbatical has been a game-changer for me, and I wish I had done it sooner. If you can, I highly recommend taking a sabbatical. It will change your life.