T Title: Update: A Year-Long Sabbatical and the Lessons Learned
Last year, I shared that I planned to take a year off work to recover from burnout. A year has passed, and I can honestly say it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Here is a reflective account of what happened.
The sabbatical experience
The initial month brought a surge of elation. The freedom of having nothing on the schedule—intentionally—felt incredibly liberating. By week six, I experienced a temporary dip into existential reflection, but it quickly passed.
In the first three months, I deliberately embraced inactivity. Friends asked what my plans were, and I answered with a lighthearted “nothing,” which often confused them. The reality was simple: no projects, no deadlines. I spent time outdoors on my deck, visited friends during their lunch breaks, and cooked frequently. Learning to quiet my mind and unwind was transformative. By the end of the third month, I had reached a sustained baseline of contentment I hadn’t previously known.
Personal growth and relationship dynamics
Earlier in the year, a volatile two-year relationship had ended, and we decided to take time apart. Over the summer, we did a lot of meaningful work to understand the underlying issues. A change in therapist proved beneficial, and I’m confident that this level of reflection would have been difficult to achieve while employed. The process yielded important breakthroughs in how I’ve viewed relationships, and I hope to emerge from this experience as a healthier person.
A gradual reemergence of purpose
Around month four, I began to feel the pull to be productive again. The freedom to explore various interests was welcome:
- I pursued an unconventional programming project for a couple of months, recognizing when it was healthy to continue or to drop it without guilt.
- I revisited the idea of a major life pivot by exploring prompts from the book Designing Your Life, which proved useful in clarifying options and priorities. Examples of questions I explored included:
- Should I pursue climate technology or another field?
- Would volunteering in a food-related charity illuminate new paths?
- Is a major life change, such as starting a small farm, a viable option, or an escape fantasy? I read broadly on regenerative agriculture to inform that consideration.
Returning to work with intention
In January, I chose to reenter the tech industry. This was not a flashy choice; rather, it reflected a broader insight: I care more about developing people and organizations than mastering specific technical tasks. I invested significant effort in networking, initially outside my comfort zone, and discovered I possess a distinctive skill set that is highly valuable in particular segments of the industry. Rather than settling for any available role, I targeted the right opportunity, aiming high and remaining selective.
The four-month job search included some discouraging moments, but the outcome exceeded expectations. I accepted an opportunity that leverages my deep domain experience while satisfying my interest in people development and organizational strategy. The result is a role that aligns with my strengths, including a notable salary increase and a sense of professional renewal.
Key outcomes and reflections
- Career impact: I’m pursuing a meaningful shift within tech that emphasizes leadership and organizational impact. The change feels right, even if it remains to be seen whether it’s a permanent “calling.”
- Mentorship and policy shifts: Two friends have adopted reduced hours after seeing my sabbatical, while another is planning a two-month break between roles.
- Health and wellness: I lost about 15 pounds and improved overall fitness, though I still find exercise challenging.
- Financial and practical realities: A recent furnace failure underscored the importance of emergency savings; high repair costs can be painful when funds are tight.
- Travel and lifestyle: I delayed travel during the sabbatical to preserve resources, planning to travel more once I return to work and have remote options.
Takeaways
- The sabbatical was worth the disruption and the reset it provided to both my personal and professional life.
- The experience has reinforced the idea that trading some immediate financial gains for long-term happiness and health can be a prudent choice.
- The path forward remains adaptable: I’m open to further shifts, but for now, I’m focused on a role that combines leadership development with strategic organizational impact.
If you’re curious about the specifics of how I approached the sabbatical, the decision-making process behind returning to work, or how I navigated a career pivot within tech, I’m happy to answer questions. This journey wouldn’t have been as transformative without the supportive community, and I appreciate the perspectives I gained along the way.
