The art of living — Learning self-love and setting boundaries while creating memories and friendships that will last a lifetime
My sabbatical allowed me to explore the different lives I could live leading me to realize the change I really needed was in my mindset.
Not Really Living: The Breaking Point
Taking a sabbatical was most likely the best decision that I have made in years. A decision that did cost me courage to take, but was finally one that I took for myself and not trying to fit into others peoples plans and lives, but become the leader of my own one.
Unfortunately many years of too much work (instead of life balance), people pleasing, family drama, breakups and finally covid crisis led to a version of myself that I knew I wasn’t and I needed a change to regain clarity and joy in life.
The company I work for luckily enable sabbaticals without the need to quit and a job guarantee when returning – what a privilege that I am more than thankful for. This kind of security helped me really take my mind off work and future worries. And actually my former boss was the one encouraging me to take a sabbatical since she was once in a similar state of mind and it was the best decision she made for herself back then.
The Road to Living
Fast forward a year and I had my finances sorted, sublet my apartment, bags packed and rough plans made. I never traveled alone before and here I was – one year ahead of me, not knowing what to expect and yet hoping for the best.
I started off with walking the Camino Portugues since I heard many good things about it from solo travelers. And it turned out to be the best start into this year I could have imagined. I quickly realized I made too many plans in advance and would, retro perspective, not do it the same way again. But nonetheless the first month passed city hopping in Europe and ending up spending almost two months in Paris – a city that I always dreamed on living in one day. As an art enthusiast and hobby artist myself it was the perfect fit. I found inspiration in every corner, visited many many museums and learned to live the savoir-vivre.
I continued my travels with heading towards Asia. I pre-booked a yoga teacher training on Bali, which I regretted already on my way there. Back home I thought I needed to “proof” that I’ve learned something new, come home with the opportunity to follow a new profession. In the end it turned out better than expected, I made new friends, realized I like teaching (even if it wasn’t Yoga) and took the weeks as true self care, working out each day and eating healthy.
My further travels took me to South Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Thailand. Korea teaching me that life can be fun and childish, but also that backpacking and making friends isn’t always easy. Japan being my absolute dream come true with its unique combination of modern & traditional. A true heaven for all things aesthetic and of course food! Vietnam and Thailand letting me live the life I always wanted when I was in my early 20s. I was usually the oldest person in Hostels in South East Asia, being 33. But this was genius – living the life of a 20-something while having the wisdom of one in her 30s. No talks about getting married, having kids or the pressure of making the next career move.
One thing that did work out as planned was having a fun job for a period of time. For financial reasons, but also to try something out of my comfort zone and also having the chance to stay longer in one place again, having a routine instead of hopping around every few days. I ended up working as an outdoor guide in Finnish Lapland. So moving from +35 Celcius to -35 Celcius was an extreme shift, but simply breathtaking. Working outdoors all day vs. 8 hours in an office hits different. I was truly energized each day and spreading the magic of Christmas, also being dressed as an Elf, was one of my biggest highlights of the sabbatical. I even considered extending, but the last three month of my sabbatical seamed too precious to me to spend it longer in the cold, repeating the same daily routine.
On my way from norther Finland I stopped in some cities, but realized along the way I was totally fed up. I couldn’t take more in – no more museums, no more walking tours, no more small talk when meeting new people. I had the travel-fatigue. And all I wanted was my own space and to be able to cook for myself, see people I know and rest. And that’s what I did. I booked myself an apartment in Berlin and just lived a ordinary day to day life – just without work. It was perfect to sort my thoughts and also think about whats next to come after returning from my sabbatical.
After all I started interviewing for a few new jobs, but it all felt wrong and like a lot of pressure. I didn’t have the big “AHA” moment so far what I wanted next. I had an amazing time, living my best life, but also felt like I needed to achieve something. I was so open for changes, but all I wanted was to be home.
So I took a step back and stopped looking for new jobs and just reached out to my former employer and started talking about possible positions to return to. I loved my colleagues, I had a secure job, good salary, living in a nice apartment – what was I running away from? So my biggest learning ended up being a mindshift change. It always thought I needed to change my surrounding, change something so I would feel happy. And yes – the traveling helped catching up on dreams I never pursued, because I wanted to please others instead of listening to my own needs. But I also realized I didn’t need to change my surrounding. I already had a great one. I was just not allowing myself to be my true self and believe that I am good enough.
After talking to my closest friends and family I decided to put focus on what I do best, what I like, what brings me joy. Why should I do a job that doesn’t lie in my field of strength? And luckily I didn’t need to jump very far as my company is huge and I was able to find a new position that suits me and my passions quite well. I started back full-time, but am already considering moving to a 4-day week to enable myself a better work-life balance and use the additional day “off” to pursue my passion of creating art.
Being back for 2 months now I highly appreciate the job security and I am still allowing myself to figure out if this is feeling right. And if not, having the guts to change it again. Because if there is one thing that I’ve learned this year – there are many lives I can live, and I am the artist that can create it.
Just the way I want it.
Activities I engaged in during my sabbatical:
1. Yoga Teacher Training
2. Art Classes
3. Pottery Class
4. Walking the camino Portuguese (pilgrim route in Europe from Portugal to Spain)
5. Cooking Classes
6. Working as an Elf (Outdoor) Guide in Lapland
7. Hiking
8. Snorkeling
9. Free Walking Tours
10. Motorcycle Tour
11. Boat Tour
12. Language Class
13. Dance Class
14. Pub Crawl
15. Morning meditation / ceremony in Tempel
16. Sports classes
17. Surfing
18. Food Tour
How long was your sabbatical?
54 weeks
Did HOW you work change at all, post-sabbatical?
Committed to taking significantly more time off (e.g. 4 day workweek, or summer’s off)
What kind of work did you return to?
Same company, different role
What changes did you make post-sabbatical?
Finding a job that focuses on strengthening my strengths instead of trying to fit into other peoples expectations
How did your sabbatical experience change the way you thought about your employer?
I appreciated the benefits of working for the company more and seeing it more as an enabler for living the life I want to live
Why do you think others should (or shouldn’t) take sabbaticals? Are there occasions in life where it’s particularly helpful?
Taking a sabbatical can help anyone to have the proper time to take a step back to reflect on yourself and your life. Are you happy with who and where you are or do you feel like you need to change something? I found it also very helpful to learn how it is to be alone and make decisions just for myself. So I believe it was extremely valuable to take a sabbatical before having a family of my own. To one day be a parent that can share compassion, self-love, consistent values and doesn’t have the feeling of having missed out on anything.
But I am sure there are many occasions in life where it can be helpful. Just be aware of the impact it can have and be ready to deal with the consequences.
You can connect with Anne Hinz here
Interested in exploring art during your sabbatical? You might like Marielena’s story.
