When I first started telling everyone at work that I was taking a sabbatical, few people knew what I meant. The fact that people may not even know what a sabbatical is, surprised me. So, I decided to start sharing content on social media about how cool (and necessary) an adult gap year can be! More importantly, I wanted to show people that taking a sabbatical is, indeed, possible to do. If I could do it, so can you!
Now, I know that everybody’s situation is different. I am fully aware that taking a self-funded sabbatical is-a-privilege. Most people don’t have a money tree planted in their backyard. Some people don’t even have a backyard! And if you’re thinking that I have a ‘pocket full of sunshine’, think again. I took the great risk of quitting my great job and using all of my savings to stretch out my languid wings. To be honest, I didn’t feel like my savings account reflected my efforts at the time anyway, so I felt like I had nothing to lose. From Monday to Friday, I worked my head off and strained whatever nervous system I had left after my time in the Army, only to feel like I would never have enough to build a comfortable (debt-free) life and feed my goals – unless I won the lottery.

Please don’t get me wrong, I actually liked my job, and I absolutely loved my coworkers. But I felt that, by staying on that same scripted path, my life would just fly by before my eyes. I strongly believe that this life is meant to be a dimension for soul growth, a constructive journey, and a short time to live as authentically as possible. We should all at least try to find our true life’s purpose and live it. And that in itself requires work.

So… What is a Sabbatical?

A sabbatical or adult gap year is an extended period of leave, typically granted to employees, educators, or professionals, to take time away from their regular work or responsibilities. It is a planned and/or approved break that allows individuals to pursue personal, professional, or academic interests, engage in research or creative projects, gain new skills, or simply recharge.

Sabbaticals were originally meant for academics, since the late nineteenth century, at least in the US. But, nowadays, non-academics are increasingly crafting up their own sabbatical leave, as they realize the life-long benefits this brings to any working professional. Sabbaticals can be paid, partially paid, or self-funded, and their duration (usually one full year) can vary depending on the organization’s policies or personal needs.

The Benefits of Taking a Sabbatical (Gap Year)

1. Personal Growth

Let’s face it, modern life often leaves very little room for self-reflection and personal growth. A sabbatical or gap year gives you the breathing space needed to disconnect from the noise and reflect on personal goals, aspirations, and values. Whether through solo travel, solitude, or self-discovery, you can gain clarity and direction during this time. You can ask yourself important questions, such as: ‘Am I on the career path I really want? What are the areas of my life that need my attention? Which daily habits do I need to improve myself? Am I spending enough time with my family and friends? By the way, remember that your family and friends are the ones who will take care of you when you’re down and sick, not your co-workers.

All this reflection and newfound self-awareness will lead you to a more fulfilling and purposeful life!

2. Professional Growth

One of the primary benefits of embarking on a sabbatical or gap year is the immense potential for professional growth. Stepping away from the familiar allows you to explore new and old interests, acquire new skills, and gain a deeper understanding of how you want to contribute to society. For instance, someone who pursues specific certifications during their sabbatical can grow in their current profession or may simply decide to change careers altogether. This prolonged break from your routine can lead to transformative experiences, a broader range of capabilities, and a sense of renewal. Don’t be afraid to get to know yourself and pivot toward your true north.

3. Increase Your Creativity and Productivity

Breaking away from the demands of everyday life can spark fresh ideas and allow you some time to brush off your bucket list – or create a new one. A sabbatical or gap year provides the opportunity to engage in activities that have previously been put on the back burner. Whether it is writing an e-book, starting a business, or delving into a new art form, the time and mental space provided by a sabbatical or gap year can rejuvenate your creative energy. This can also help awaken your authentic self and even help you discover your true calling! Ask yourself right now, do you know what your main mission in life is?

What would you do with a year off work? Would you join the Peace Corps? Would you start a monetized blog? Would you start your wellness plan? Don’t limit yourself! The time to live your best life is right now, old age is not guaranteed.

“A sabbatical will help you discover your true calling”

4. Expand Your Worldview and Cultural Awareness

Life is much more than our small stuffy cubicles! A sabbatical or gap year offers the chance to expose yourself to new cultures, customs, and perspectives. By venturing beyond familiar boundaries, you can gain a deeper understanding of local and global issues, embrace diversity, and foster empathy.

You could donate some time to charity or even start your own! You could take six months to volunteer in Latin America, and so on. Some organizations will even pay for most of your expenses! All that while you learn about global issues, practice charity, engage in personal growth, and learn a new language. Now, that is what I call a ‘sabbatical bargain’.

The Challenges and Risks of Taking a Sabbatical (Gap Year)

Now, it’s not all fun and games. While the benefits of taking a sabbatical are transformative, it’s important to recognize and address the challenges you might face – and that I, myself, faced during my sabbatical. But don’t worry. By learning about the challenges, you can better prepare, plan, and mitigate. So let’s go!

1. Financial Considerations

One of the primary challenges associated with taking a sabbatical or gap year is managing the financial implications. Depending on the duration and activities you planned, expenses can quickly add up. However, with creativity, frugality, and planning, you can overcome this challenge. Keep reading for tips on financing a self-funded sabbatical. But for now, take a pen and paper and write down the realistic date when you would want to take your sabbatical. It can be next year or in three years, just write it down.

2. Career Interruption and Career Re-entry

Taking a break from work can pose challenges when individuals seek to resume their previous roles or re-enter the job market. Old employers may have concerns about your work commitment or may fear the potential loss of skills during your break. But you could overcome these concerns by showcasing the skills and maturity you gained during your sabbatical. Keep your beautiful resumé up to date!

But if you decide to change careers or get a new job, you might find that it can take some time to re-establish yourself in the workforce. You can navigate this by planning ahead: revamp your resumé, network, and apply to new jobs at least three months before your sabbatical period ends. You should also consider designing a career path.

Lastly, if you decide to break free and become your own boss, congratulations! But this still means you need to strategize and work a lot. In conclusion, plan every stage of your sabbatical, including re-entry.

3. It Can be Scary and Uncomfortable

Venturing into unfamiliar territories can be mentally and emotionally challenging. Once you’ve put your career on hold and started your planned sabbatical, reality hits you!

Suddenly, all your belongings are in a dusty 5′ x 5′ storage room, and you remember you won’t get that next paycheck. Then you realize you’re about to take a long flight to another continent and start your solo adventure. That can be scary. But, while getting out of your comfort zone and adjusting to new time zones can feel uncomfortable at first, you will quickly overcome your fears and start feeling fresh with this new You.

Don’t let fear stop you from living your life! The number one roadblock that keeps people from organizing their Gap Year is not finances, is fear.

4. Planning and Organization can be Overwhelming

Arranging a big project like a sabbatical requires meticulous planning, organization, and determination. Deciding on activities, duration, and logistics can be overwhelming. This is why a lot of people quit or quickly dismiss the idea altogether. But luckily, there are many things you can do to make your planning process easy and enjoyable. Just keep reading 😉.

Tips for Planning Your Sabbatical

1. First, Set Your Goals

As mentioned earlier, an adult gap year can yield enormous benefits, but it is up to You to define your specific goals. You need to clearly define the desired outcomes and experiences of your sabbatical while considering budget and duration. If you have little clue of what you want, then consider gaining inspiration by subscribing to my blog and/or other similar blogs, or YouTube channels that will keep you inspired.

• Be realistic: As you start planning, you have to be realistic. For instance, if you have dependents, such as your children or your elderly, you can’t just leave everything and go to the airport. So, you have to be realistic when it comes to when you would be able to interrupt your finances and take a prolonged leave of absence. However, even if you can’t take a sabbatical right now, there are so many other things you can do to slowly transform and improve your life, little by little. So don’t be discouraged!
• Create your vision board: After you’ve determined your sabbatical’s estimated date and length. I strongly recommend starting your planning process by creating a Vision Board. A vision board will help you determine and visualize your goals, while also keeping you motivated. Believe me, vision boards work if you do them right.

2. Budgeting and Financial Planning

• Estimate a realistic budget: This may be the least favorite part of the planning process, but it is fundamental. Once you know what you want to accomplish (traveling, attending an ayahuasca retreat, learning Brazilian Portuguese, starting your wellness journey, etc.) you can manage the financial aspects of your sabbatical by carefully estimating costs and developing a realistic budget. Research destinations and activities to understand associated expenses and identify potential ways to minimize costs. And of course, feed your savings account as much as you can. The faster you plan, the faster you budget and the faster you’ll be on your way.

A very basic formula to get you started, would look like this:

Cost of 14 Months of Personal Expenses + Cost of Planned Travel + Cost of Self Improvement Activities + Cost of Incidentals = Your 1 Year Sabbatical Budget

Also check out this post from one of my favorite travel bloggers: ‘How I Saved Money For Travel (You Don’t Need To Be Rich)’

3. Networking and Staying Connected

• Maintain your network: Maintain existing professional connections and establish new ones during your sabbatical or gap year. Whether you intend on returning to your old job or looking for a new and better job, always maintain good relationships with your supervisors and co-workers.
• Attend networking events: While you’re on your epic journey, take some time to attend industry events, join professional organizations and conferences, or engage with your local community to expand your network and stay updated on industry trends. Remember, people still connect in real life, face to face, away from their blue screens – thank God for that!

4. Be Kind to Yourself and Keep an Open Mind

Even once you’ve finally taken your sabbatical leap, you’ll probably feel dissatisfied at times. In my case, it took me about two months, after I began my sabbatical, to unplug my brain from work concerns and finally free myself from the guilt of not feeling productive enough. But self-care is a form of productivity! As an Army veteran, I’ve always felt a nagging guilt every time I allowed myself to just have pure fun or take a break. Anyone else out there also feels that way? Although my sabbatical has helped me improve that aspect of my life, I still struggle sometimes. So, I’m telling you right now, my dear reader, don’t feel guilty for loving yourself. By loving yourself first, you can love others better.

“Self-Care is a form of productivity”

So, what are you waiting for? Invest in yourself and start planning your sabbatical!

Become a tribe member and start your self-development work right now.