The Sabbatical Project: Category: Male

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.

Read Article
20s-30s30s-40sCareer change

Oliver’s Time Off Changes Him

Oliver’s 1-year sabbatical changes his perspective on life, gives him a renewed sense of purpose and reminds him to have fun.

My sabbatical gave me a fresh perspective on life, opened my eyes to the world and the diversity of cultures within it and renewed my sense of purpose — it also reminded me how important it is to have fun!

Read Article
20s-30sMaleStories

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)

Read Article
30s-40sEducationHealing/burnout

Rainer’s Sabbatical and Career Transition

Rainer walks into his 40s on a 9-month sabbatical resulting in a career transition. His time off brings clarity on his next big move.

Life today is just so full and so fast and so loud, that anything we can do to simplify, slow down and find some silence is good. Sometimes to do that well we need a longer period of a break and investment that pours into your present and your future.

Read Article
30s-40sCareer changeMale

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!

Read Article
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. 

Read Article
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.

Read Article
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.

Read Article
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.

Read Article
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.”

Read Article
30s-40sHealing/burnoutMale

Get Access to the Sabbatical Field Guide

Discover your Sabbatical Archetype, your Sabbatical Readiness Score, and learn best practices (and what to avoid) from our research on sabbatical alums.