Article by Wendy McCance
Have you ever wanted to take a break from your job? Have you ever considered taking a sabbatical? When I decided to cut back on work, I did it because I needed a break. I had found out I had some serious health issues and as I took time to deal with the news, it occurred to me that I wanted to just slow down and enjoy what I have in life right now in front of me for a while.
I made up my mind that taking a partial break from work made the most sense. I wanted to focus on my family and enjoy time with the kids before they are out of school. I don’t know what I will have to deal with healthwise down the road and felt it was important to get the most out of my life now while I’m still feeling physically and mentally good.
What will this partial sabbatical be like for me?
- I will work with a few select clients that I have monthly arrangements with.
- I will get back to doing the soul-searching, inspirational writing on this blog that I love writing the most.
- I will be available first and foremost to the family. No more running off to a quiet room to meet deadlines and take business calls while putting the family’s needs on hold.
- I will invest time reading more and exploring hobbies. An art or yoga class sound pretty good.
- I will spend more time taking bike rides and walks with the kids.
- I will focus on getting out for a date night each week with my husband.
- I will get those projects around the house I haven’t quite finished done.
- I will get everything organized and prepare for when I won’t be able to be as on top of my household as I am now.
- I will make sure to share every piece of information I can with the kids now. I want to make sure that I don’t leave out anything I want them to know.
- I will take care to respect every moment and make the most of it with laughter, showing an abundance of love to those who mean so much to me and creating wonderful memories.
The moment that I realized that yep, I’m really committed to this idea and wow, I’m actually doing this came from a message I received on LinkedIn. A connection reached out and endorsed me for some skills. I wrote back thanking them for the endorsements. They commented back that if I had some time they would like to get together and have a business discussion. I wrote back that I appreciated the invitation, but I was on a work and work related sabbatical through the end of the year. It was an incredibly freeing feeling to write that. Honestly, in the past I wouldn’t have respected my own boundaries, would feel that I might be missing out on an opportunity and would have scheduled a meeting.
There will be opportunities in the future. I can even reach out to this connection down the road and see about meeting up. The point is, life is short and it’s important to live your life in a way that will cause as few regrets as possible. If taking a break means a lot to you, then do it and do it as well as the work you do each day!
Have you ever taken a sabbatical or considered doing so? Everyone needs a break on occasion, a chance to relax, recharge and reevaluate. If money is an issue, you could take a week off or maybe even take a partial sabbatical like I am doing.
If you have ever thought that a sabbatical might be something you would like to explore but need more information, I have provided links to some great articles that might help you make that decision.
How to Take a Sabbatical from Your Business
Career Break or Sabbatical, What is Right for You?
Taking a Sabbatical Without Derailing Your Career
Should You Take a Sabbatical? 3 Women Weigh In
Can I Afford to Take a Sabbatical
The Freelancer Sabbatical: Take an Expense Paid Trip Any Time You’d Like
How to Plan A Sabbatical-Style Career Break
Wendy McCance
To contact Wendy McCance about a writing or social media assignment, interview or speaking engagement, please email her at: [email protected]
Latest posts by Wendy McCance (see all)
- The Elusiveness Of Money - September 9, 2016
- The Challenges of Being an Older Woman - September 9, 2016
- When All the Pieces Fall Into Place - September 2, 2016
Happy to see you’ve decided to do this, Wendy. I know it’s hard to slow down thinking there’s so much left to do but this time you’re taking time to do something for yourself. No better time than right now.
I guess you could say I’ve been on a sabbatical. Can’t say I planned it like you but it’s exactly what I needed. Way to go! 🙂
Thanks Pat. 🙂
Hi Wendy! Good for you for making the choice to slow down and let go of things in your life that aren’t 100% essential. I am fortunate that I am self employed and get to decide if, when and where I work. Sure I could make a lot more money and get a lot more notice and attention for my writing, but I’m doing it in a way that serves my needs and family. Rather than a sabbatical, I instead call it “rightsizing.” I’ll bet once you get comfortable with the idea you’ll also want to just make it the way you live rather than a temporary thing. ~Kathy
Hi Kathy, You only get one life and deciding what makes you happiest instead of just chasing the money, is brilliant. I wish more people could listen to their own dreams instead of what society lays out as the “proper path” and really enjoy their life!
Wendy,
To be honest, I have wanted to take a sabbatical from any job I have been doing for the past 10 years. Perhaps its because I feel this is not what I am supposed to be doing- maybe I think I am too good for the job I have been given. I did this for a year and a half and enjoyed every moment of it, except when I had people breathing down my neck and asking me when I was going off to work.