Kristen embarked on a healing sabbatical, traveling the world to walk the Camino, volunteer in Africa, and study ancient practices. Along the way, she reconnected with herself, found purpose, and reshaped her future.
The Long Way Home: My Journey Back to Self
Sometimes what you really need is a little space to let your soul speak. It literally changed the course and direction of my life.
I quit my corporate job at the end of 2021. We were just coming out of the global pandemic and countries were starting to open up again. Healing and (re)connection – to self, others, planet, and spirit – were my primary goals.
I chose travel as my primary guide, as that was a passion of mine. However, I hadn’t been able to do much of it the past 2 years. The lessons I learned on this journey have shaped my path forward and they continue to reveal themselves to me. Without giving myself this gift of time and space, I would have continued on a destructive path, repeating the past.
Lessons from My Healing Sabbatical
I could write a book about my sabbatical (and may one day) but here are some insights that have shaped who I am today:
- Walking the Camino taught me about the power of presence and the art of going slow. We are a society that thrives on moving fast and being busy. But when you move at walking speed, it helps you slow down and take in the beauty around you. You become more in tune with yourself, your body, and your surroundings.
- Volunteering in Africa taught me that we all share this planet we call home. We need to do whatever we can to protect her. It taught me an appreciation for the simple things in life. I don’t need a lot of “things” to be happy.
- Learning about ancient healing modalities in Peru taught me the importance of meeting myself where I am, self-healing and vulnerability.
These lessons and many more led me to want to guide others on their journeys back to self. Back to a place of alignment and wholeness. A life lived with more meaning and purpose. And it starts with just giving yourself a little space to let your soul speak.
Sabbatical Activities
- Rest & Relaxation: sleeping in, no alarms, no schedules, being as “unproductive” as possible
- Solo Traveled to Spain, Portugal, South Africa, Kenya, Turkey, Peru, Honduras, Mexico, and road trips through US.
- Trekked the Camino de Santiago, an approximate 500-mile pilgrimage route from the south of France through northern Spain.
- Joined meet up groups in Portugal to explore local beaches, restaurants and nightlife
- Contributed to wildlife conservation projects in South Africa and Kenya. Learned about the importance of preserving our planet’s biodiversity and how to interact with nature responsibly.
- Further developed photography skills and won an honorable mention in PetaPixel’s Wild Personalities Photo Contest
- Earned 200 hr Yoga Teacher, Reiki and Sound Practitioner certifications
- Further developed photography skills and won an honorable mention in PetaPixel’s Wild Personalities Photo Contest
Reflections on a Healing Sabbatical
What catalyzed your sabbatical?
Negative event – death of a loved one, health/burnout, job loss, etc.
How long was your sabbatical (in weeks)?
72
Did HOW you work change at all, post-sabbatical?
Went from company employed to self-employed
Describe any changes you made in your life post-sabbatical:
My career, daily routine, values, beliefs and identity have changed and continue to shift.
How did your sabbatical experience change the way you thought about your employer?
There was not one event that catalyzed my sabbatical but it was more of a slow burn. It started with health issues over a number of years coupled with organizational changes at my employer leading to burnout. Then the pandemic hit and really put into perspective what was truly important to me. I knew the life I had been living was no longer sustainable.
Why do you think others should (or shouldn’t) take sabbaticals? Are there occasions in life where it’s particularly helpful?
Here in the US, we live in a society that praises productivity and being busy – even at the cost of our mental, physical or emotional wellbeing. Many people have lived with chronic stress, overwhelm or burnout for so long they don’t even notice the symptoms anymore – until it’s too late. It is hard to make the important and necessary life changes when you are in the thick of it.
Taking a meaningful and intentional break can provide you the opportunity to hit that reset button. It can help you restore and improve your overall health and wellness. It can help you let go of bad habits and learn to establish better boundaries. It can help you rediscover who you are outside of work and how you can bring more purpose and meaning into your life. It can help you reconnect to who you truly are and live a life more in line with what truly matters to you.
You can connect with Kristen Barron here.
Interested in more self-discovery sabbaticals? Make Bethany’s Story your next stop.
