The Sabbatical Project: Category: Healing/burnout

Andy moves from burnout to balanced entrepreneur

Andy’s sabbatical takes them from a software engineer experiencing burnout to an invigorated and balanced entrepreneur.

My break changed my life. It taught me how little I could survive on and caused me to re-evaluate my Silicon Valley lifestyle. It opened my eyes to new ways of being and working filled with balance, time off, and unstructured time to explore my various passions.

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20s-30s30s-40sCareer change

Cady Finds a New Way of Working

Cady quits her job to take a sabbatical which leads her to discover a new way of working and take control of her time.

My break taught me to tolerate a different way of working, one that isn’t filled with daily emergencies and mini-crises. One that includes balance, days off, and time to explore creative hobbies and interests.

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30s-40sCareer changeEntrepreneurship

Samantha’s Six-Month Sabbatical

Samantha takes a self-funded six-month sabbatical which changes her view of life and helps her chart a new course.

My six-month sabbatical shifted my entire outlook on life and will be the gift that keeps on giving — it shifted my entire perspective about how to live life on your own terms.

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30s-40sHealing/burnoutStories

Ivan Takes a Gap Year at 34

Ivan decides to take a sabbatical — a gap year spent in another country, learning a new language and making new friends. It saves his life.

After working more than 10 hours per day for 8 years, when I suddenly stopped I realized I had become addicted to being busy – I needed to go through a process of detox to learn how to relax and enjoy my life (outside of work)

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30s-40sEducationHealing/burnout

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

Grant Tests His Retirement Idea

When Grant approached some important milestones — 15th work anniversary, 50th birthday and 25th wedding anniversary — he figured re-energizing would help him enjoy them to the fullest.

My sabbatical proved to me that I really could slow down and enjoy smelling the roses!

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30s-40s50s+Career change

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

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