As a burned-out workaholic, taking a 1-year break from work was scary, but my gap year helped me separate my sense of self from my job and made me a more empathetic and courageous person and leader.
After this experience, I’m now positive that we will regret the things we didn’t do more than the things we did.
When burnout recovery means leaving everything behind
In 2021, I quit my job and my husband, our four-year-old daughter, and I moved to Lyon, France for a year. We rented an apartment, obtained one-year tourist visas, and enrolled our daughter in a local French school so we could fully immerse ourselves in daily life. During school breaks we traveled extensively—visiting 11 countries in total.
In Lyon, we embraced the city’s identity as France’s food capital, exploring both Michelin-starred restaurants and neighborhood markets. We learned French, discovered the region’s rich history and culture, spent countless hours at playgrounds, entertained visiting friends and family, and built a community with people from around the world. I also took a writing class, hired a memoir coach, and wrote a travel memoir about our experience.
Activities you engaged in during your sabbatical:
- Took 6 months of French lessons with my husband
- Traveled to 13 countries (France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Norway)
- Took a writing class, hired a memoir coach, and wrote a travel memoir.
- Deeply explored the history, culture, and food of our adopted sabbatical city Lyon, France
What catalyzed your sabbatical? Burnout
How long was your sabbatical ? 52 weeks
Did HOW you work change at all, post-sabbatical?
No major change
What kind of work did you return to? Same company, different role
Any changes in your life post-sabbatical:
Our family became closer and more comfortable with taking risks. We are saving & planning for our next sabbatical and applying for European residence and passports.
How did your sabbatical experience change the way you thought about your employer?
3 things: 1) Burnout as a workaholic corporate executive who bottomed out after Covid; 2) Husband and I always said we wanted to live overseas for a year; 3) My husband and I turned 40 and our daughter was 4 – made us think “if not now, when?”
Why do you think others should (or shouldn’t) take sabbaticals? Are there occasions in life where it’s particularly helpful?
I was burned out and exhausted and needed a break. My husband and I had always wanted to live overseas. And yet, I was terrified to take the leap.
A year off from work felt reckless—I worried about career progression, finances, and how it would look, especially since it wasn’t something people typically did.
After weeks of wavering and sleepless nights, I finally thought: “I’m terrified to do this, but more terrified of what happens if I don’t.”
Avoiding regret turned out to be a powerful motivator. Interestingly, none of my fears came true—I returned to a promotion at the same company I’d left. Two years later, I stepped into a CEO role. A PE partner who hired me said: “I think that sabbatical made you more interesting.”
All of that said, even if all of my fears HAD come true, I would still do it all again and I would highly recommend it to anyone considering it.
You can connect with Meghan Herwehe here.
Inspired by Meghan’s year abroad? You might love Natasha’s story of trading corporate burnout for a year of intentional living.
