What I Wish I Knew Before Taking a Sabbatical

Kristen Letchworth
Sep 19
4 min read

A sabbatical wasn't something I imagined myself doing, but then again, I couldn't have predicted a lot of what my career has been the past few years.

Why take a sabbatical?

While this may seem obvious, if you're planning a sabbatical, I'd recommend getting clear on why you're actually doing it. Ask yourself: what is my end goal? How do I want to feel during and after? What do I want to be different by the end?

I took a sabbatical to reevaluate my career and figure out what was next. I knew I didn't want to continue on my path and I needed some real time away to destress, come back to myself, try new things, and come up with a new plan. I was also going through some tough things in my personal life and taking a sabbatical also offered a way for me to have some agency. Looking back, this is what really pushed me to take it when I did.

People take sabbaticals for many reasons; some of those reasons are career-related like burnout prevention/recovery, pursuing additional education or training, or a career transition, and others are more personal like family support, mental and/or physical health, or personal development. Everyone will approach it with a different intent and everyone will get something different out of it.

Don't miss out on the little things either, there is so much to explore in your day to day life

Have a plan, but remain flexible

To maintain your sanity, I'd recommend a schedule. It's a bit jarring to go from years and years of working, with only a week or two off at a time, to being on "adult summer break" (as one of my colleagues lovingly called it). It doesn't have to be nearly as filled as your previous schedule, but don't let too long pass without making some progress on your goal. The beauty of this time is that you can pursue a goal in a way that feels calm, supportive, and sustainable.

So, yes have a schedule, AND allow yourself to break it. Make room for spontaneity and exploration. This is your chance to have fun and explore without commitment - travel, volunteer, try out a new city, find a part time job that seems interesting, work on a side gig, start that project you've been putting off, find a new hobby, create art, focus on your health, work out, cook, bake, spend time with family - or whatever you're drawn to doing. Be open to the idea that seemingly unrelated activities can reinspire you and benefit your future self and/or career.

A close friend of mine took a sabbatical to recover from burnout, but scheduled a trip for a few days after her last day of work. While she enjoyed herself, she said she wished she would have planned time to decompress first, to get back to her baseline self, before leaving for the trip. Know yourself and plan accordingly.

(sabbatical photos, left to right): When my nephew's nanny quit unexpectedly, I was able to step in and help.

I traveled to Alaska and was fortunate to visit Brooks Fall at Katmai National Park, a bucket list worthy experience.

My dog got very sick and was hospitalized. I was able to be there for him in a way I couldn't have if working full time.

What I didn't expect

I expected to learn a lot about myself during my sabbatical, which I did, but there was also a lot I didn't see coming.

You may get some mixed reactions

The majority of my friends, family, and coworkers were very supportive of my sabbatical, but not everyone. Some people celebrated with me. Some thought I was making a mistake. Some people were jealous in a supportive way and some people were jealous in a resentful way. Some people didn't understand it. At the end of the day though, this is a personal decision that you don't need to justify. Remember that people's reactions are often a projection and say more about them than about you. Know your why and be confident in your decision.

A complete lack of stress isn't the answer

When you take time away from work, a lot changes. You get the obvious 40+ hours a week back, but you're also not experiencing the late night/early morning emails, the "fire drills", the commute, and just the mental load of thinking about your work.

And despite all that found time, the days can slip away. I've discovered the hard way that doing nothing can feel just as draining as being completely busy and stressed out. A lack of activity in one's life can cause a drop off in motivation and confidence. Consider planning or starting some activities before your sabbatical so you can ride that momentum through. Find meaningful ways to use your energy during this time.

You're going to ask yourself the big questions

A lot of deep questions came up for me during this time:

"What is the point?"

"How do I find meaning?"

"How should I be using my time?"

When the day-to-day busyness fades away, there is a lot of space that opens up in your mind. I started to question most things. As a result, I learned a lot about my priorities and my values. And while this can be helpful to a point, be sure to balance these existential questions with everyday practicalities to keep yourself grounded.

"Find out who you are and do it on purpose." ~Dolly Parton

Life after sabbatical

At times I considered returning to corporate after my sabbatical, but in the end, I decided to pursue a certification in coaching. I realized that I find immense meaning in people: listening to people, helping people, empowering people. We are each powerful and brilliant in our unique way. Many of us have followed the "right" path, the expected path, in life because we were told we should. My favorite type of coaching is helping someone see that they can forge their own path using their individual strengths, values, and interests. And if someone is not feeling fulfilled and supported where they are, maybe it's time to consider finding somewhere they do.