The Sabbatical Project: Category: Male

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

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

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

Kevin’s total life transformation

Kevin’s sabbatical helps him transform his life, leave the advertising industry, and move to Costa Rica with his wife and two children.

I rejected the idea of “work until you’re 65, then retire and enjoy your life.” With planning, we can adopt a different lifestyle design.

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30s-40sCareer changeCreativity

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

Doug’s Unpaid (and Paid!) Sabbatical

After leaving a toxic work environment, a finance executive steps into full-time parenthood to support his family and re-discover joy.

“There’s more to your life than your career. It’s not a one-way street. My sabbaticals gave me the space to get back in touch with things that mattered to me.”

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30s-40sHealing/burnoutMale

Winston’s Family Sabbatical

A year above the Arctic Circle to spend time with family and reconnect with personal and professional goals.

“The ultimate byproduct of my sabbatical is that I no longer need to compartmentalize work from having fun and making a difference.“

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30s-40sHealing/burnoutMale

James Rekindles His Sense of Wonder

Newly-minted US resident uses time to heal from burnout, and to explore.

“If there are things that you really want to do that you can’t do in a full-time job or if you don’t do it in between when the hell are you going to do them?”

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30s-40sHealing/burnoutMale

Paul’s “Adult Internship”

Using sabbaticals to test out hypotheses for work and life.

“Maybe some people need the sabbatical because everything is just perfect. At least for me, this has never been true. If there’s something that lingers as an open question or aspiration, I give myself theme and space to explore it fully.”

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30s-40sCareer changeCompany-sponsored

Justin & Allison’s Summer Sabbatical

4 kids, 9 weeks, and 8,300 miles after 16 years as CEO.

“I’ve never seen my wife so consistently happy. Bear in mind, we were in a box with four kids for two straight months. No babysitter. No date nights.”

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30s-40sC-levelCompany-sponsored

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