The Sabbatical Project: Category: Corporate Stories

Elle Finds Freedom to Explore

After experiencing burnout, grief and a detachment from her identity, Elle sets out on a sabbatical to travel, explore, and reconnect to herself.

I knew there had to be more out there… I had to give myself permission to do all the things I had previously told myself I couldn’t or shouldn’t.

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30s-40sFemaleHealing/burnout

Milena Designs Her Sabbatical

Milena leverages her design thinking and strategic skills to plan a 12-week sabbatical miles away from home.

I took 3 months off of my work without pay and so did my partner. We saved up for 6 months in advance… using my design thinking brain when planning a sabbatical turned out to be a good thing.

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20s-30s30s-40sCareer change

Carol-Ann’s 2-Year Sabbatical

Carol-Ann is no stranger to sabbaticals and she recognized the signs that she needed a break — only this break would be her longest sabbatical yet.

When you can experience your life in the absence of stress, when you disengage auto-pilot, there is an opportunity to be the best version of yourself and to live your life intentionally.

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30s-40s50s+C-level

Cinzia’s Career-Changing Sabbatical

From structuring derivatives to teaching about longevity and happiness, Cinzia’s incredible story shows how she made changes and found meaning for her life.

My sabbatical made me realize that I could not work for a company just to make money. I needed to have an impact and find meaning through my work.

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30s-40s50s+Career change

Alexandre’s Moment for Change

After some time in “autopilot mode”, Alexandre realizes he needs to take a sabbatical and make a big change. His time off allows him to spend time with his family and change his career.

If you fear you’re close to burn-out, I’d say it’s probably a very smart move to proactively take a sabbatical to think things over. 

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30s-40sCareer changeEntrepreneurship

Sonia’s 3-Month Healing Sabbatical

Sonia takes a sabbatical to heal from burnout and grief, spend time with her friends and family, and understand what healing means to her.

While I hoped and expected my sabbatical would shift my mind –quiet it, slow it down– I was completely shocked at how much this pause brought me into my body…

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30s-40sC-levelCreativity

Marina Travels and Finds Herself

Marina takes a 32-week sabbatical as a way of healing from her physical and mental health crises. She gains the courage to transform herself.

I realized that the only way to become myself again, was to take care of myself — deeply.

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Career changeEducationEntrepreneurship

Ryan’s Bucket List Adventures

After 20 years in enterprise software, it was time for a sabbatical – time to tackle some of the adventures on my bucket list.

I’m now committed to becoming my “next mountain” self, the person that I was discovering over my period of sabbatical: Who is in constant search of a cause bigger than me.

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30s-40sCareer changeEducation

Justin’s Book Writing Sabbatical

Enabled by his employer’s sabbatical policy, Justin takes a sabbatical to write a book.

I had three goals going into the book process: Actually go through with it, write something that I was proud of, and finish it in the three month sabbatical. Check. Check. Check.

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30s-40sCompany-sponsoredCreativity

Timothy’s Career Transition

After 13 years working in a consulting firm, Timothy goes on a sabbatical to mark his career transition and attain his dream.

In moments of transition or change – a sabbatical gives you distance and time to think. I think doing this between jobs is a great idea if you can afford to take a few weeks off.

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50s+C-levelCareer change

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