The Sabbatical Project: Category: Solo

Carol learns to balance life and work

After years of sacrificing her personal life for her job, Carol goes on sabbatical and learns to balance work and life.

“You’re going to check your email five times a day for the first week, and twice a day for the second. But then—you’re going to put your phone down and forget that it exists until you come back.“

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30s-40sFemalePersonal Stories

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

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.

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30s-40sCareer changeMale

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

Bethany Finds her Sense of Self

A former government employee embarks on a journey to rediscover her sense of self after personal and professional struggles.

My sabbatical opened up my ideas about what I can do as a professional and gave me more confidence in trying new things that I don’t necessarily have the credential or experience for.

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20s-30sFemalePersonal Stories

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

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

Renee’s Lifelong Dream Coming True

A former Fortune 500 executive takes a professional career sabbatical to visit every UN member country – she uses a wheelchair!

I am so confident in myself, my relationships, and the path my life is on now.

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20s-30s30s-40sCareer change

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