- What is a Sabbatical?
- 10 Life-Changing Reasons to Take a Sabbatical
- « I’d Love to, But I’m Scared »
- Planning Your Sabbatical
- My Personal Sabbatical Story
- Final Thoughts
Sabbatical, unpaid leave, long holiday, time off… call it what you want. It all comes down to stepping away from the 9-to-5, taking a break from the job market, and living life differently—at least for a little while. It’s exciting but also kind of terrifying!
“Oh, you’re so lucky!” “How do you even do that?” “So, you just have all this free time?” Truth is, taking time off isn’t just about sipping cocktails by the pool at 10 AM (though, if that’s part of it, no judgment 😉). A sabbatical can bring you so much more—on so many levels. And if others can do it, so can you!
Ever felt like you just need a break but aren’t sure if it’s the right move? Or maybe you’re scared to take the leap? I hope this article helps! 🤍
What is a Sabbatical?
A sabbatical is a period of time off from work—a personal project that can take many forms and happen for various reasons.
It might come after a layoff, a resignation, right after graduation, or even as unpaid leave granted by an employer. The duration is flexible: it can be a month, a summer, six months, even a year or more.
You can stay in your hometown, move somewhere temporarily, or travel the world. Sabbaticals can happen at any age and for many reasons. Sometimes, they’re due to difficult circumstances, like illness, burnout, or personal struggles. But they can also be for exciting, positive reasons—traveling, volunteering, going back to school, starting a business, or simply taking time to rest and recharge.
Sabbaticals might seem like a rare thing, but they’re actually becoming more common. During my travels, I’ve met a lot of people who have taken a sabbatical, are considering one, or have simply chosen a different lifestyle from the traditional 9-to-5.
10 Life-Changing Reasons to Take a Sabbatical
1️⃣ Everybody deserves a break! – You are gonna work most of the time, deal with responsibilities, life keeps moving fast… but when do you actually stop and breathe? A sabbatical isn’t a crazy idea—it’s giving yourself the time to rest, recharge, and just be.
2️⃣ Take control of your time & see life differently – No alarms, no schedules dictated by work or obligations. A sabbatical lets you live on your own terms and gives you the space to rethink what truly matters to you. It feels so good not to live by the clock and do things when you want and not waiting for the weekend or waiting for permission to have a day off.
3️⃣ Focus on yourself – create new habits, go on a personal journey – Maybe you want to meditate, journal, or just slow down. Maybe you need to figure out what’s next. Whatever it is, a sabbatical gives you time to listen to yourself for once.
4️⃣ Try new hobbies & do what you love again – Ever wanted to learn to play an instrument? Paint? Write? Go on a yoga retreat? Or just get back into something you once loved? Now you actually have the time to do it.
5️⃣ Spend more time with your loved ones – Between work, deadlines, and adulting, quality time with family and friends often gets lost in the way. A sabbatical lets you reconnect with the people who really matter and spend more time with them.
6️⃣ Learn something new – a skill, studies, a different career path – Take a course, try an internship, learn a new language, or even explore a completely different field. A sabbatical isn’t a gap in your resume—it can actually make it stronger.
7️⃣ Travel & see the world in a way you never could before – Whether you want to backpack, volunteer, or live somewhere new for a while, a sabbatical gives you the freedom to experience places without rushing through them and you are gonna meet so many interesting people!
8️⃣ We live longer (but you could also die tomorrow)—so why wait? – You can always work later, but your energy and curiosity are at their peak now. Enjoy life while you’re young, because waiting for « later » is a risky plan.
9️⃣ Step out of your comfort zone & challenge yourself – Leaving your routine behind is scary, but that’s where the real magic happens. A sabbatical pushes you to grow in ways you never expected.
🔟 Make space for what truly matters – When you strip away work and daily stress, you finally have time to reflect on what makes you happy. A sabbatical isn’t about escaping—it’s about creating a life that feels right for you.
« I’d Love to, But I’m Scared »
I get it. The idea of taking a sabbatical sounds amazing, but also terrifying. I’ve had so many conversations with a bunch of people about this, and the same fears always come up: “I don’t have enough money,” “What if I can’t find a job after?” “What if my life changes too much?”
Trust me, I had these exact same thoughts before taking the leap. So, let’s go through them one by one.
🛑 « I don’t have enough money. »
💡 Fair enough—money is important. But you don’t need to be rich to take a sabbatical. With some planning, saving, and budgeting, it’s totally doable. A lot of people also work part-time, volunteer in exchange for free accommodation, or find freelance gigs while they travel. And at the end of the day? Money always comes back. Time doesn’t.
🛑 « What if I can’t find a job after? »
💡 A sabbatical can actually help your career. You’ll gain new experiences, learn new skills, and probably come back with a fresh perspective. And when it comes to job hunting, it’s all about how you frame it. Maybe you volunteered, managed projects, or even learned a new language? That’s experience. And if an employer doesn’t get it? Maybe they’re not the kind of company you want to work for anyway.
🛑 « What about my apartment? My rent? My mortgage? »
💡 Housing is a real concern, but there are options. Some people sublet their place, rent it out short-term, or even move out completely to save money. If you own a home, you could consider house swapping or renting it out. It takes planning, but it’s not impossible.
🛑 « What will people think? »
💡 Some people might not understand your choice—and that’s fine. People will always have opinions, whether you take a sabbatical or stay in the same job forever. The only thing that matters is: You do you!
🛑 « I’m scared my life will change too much. »
💡 It probably will. But change isn’t necessarily bad. And the good news? Nothing is permanent. If you decide you want to go back to your old routine, you can. But what if you don’t? What if your sabbatical actually leads you to something even better?
🛑 « I don’t want to lose my stability. »
💡 Stability isn’t just about a paycheck or a routine. It’s also about feeling good in your life. If your current routine isn’t making you happy, maybe taking a step back is exactly what you need to find a different kind of stability—one that actually feels right and aligned.
🛑 « I’m too old for this. It’s too late. »
💡 Says who? There’s no age limit on pressing pause and experiencing something new. People in their 40s, 50s, even 60s take sabbaticals. It’s not about age—it’s about mindset. If you feel stuck or unfulfilled, why not give yourself permission to do something different?
At the end of the day, a sabbatical isn’t about throwing your life away—it’s about pressing pause, taking a step back, and experiencing life differently for a while. And if at any point you decide you want to go back to “normal,” you can. It’s your life, and you get to decide.
Planning Your Sabbatical
Taking a sabbatical isn’t just about deciding to take time off—you need a bit of planning to make it smooth. Here are a few key things to consider:
1️⃣ Define Your Project – What do you want to do, and why? Travel, study, volunteer, start a business, or simply rest? Get clear on your goals—but if your plan is to recharge, rest, and see where life takes you, embracing uncertainty is totally fine too.
2️⃣ Talk to Your Employer – If you want to return to your job, check if unpaid leave is an option. If not, consider alternatives like a career break or remote work.
3️⃣ Sort Out Your Finances – Plan a budget, set aside extra for emergencies, and keep a small safety net for when you return. I personally saved up and sold clothes, furniture, and other items before leaving.
4️⃣ Figure Out Housing – Decide whether to give up your place, rent it out, or sublet it. Different options work for different situations.
5️⃣ Plan the Logistics – If traveling, research visas, vaccinations, and banking options. A little prep goes a long way!
My Personal Sabbatical Story
I’ve taken three sabbaticals so far, and each one has been a life-changing experience.
March 2018/July 2018 – Southeast Asia Backpack Trip – 4 Months
The best experience of my life! Traveling through Southeast Asia had been a dream for years, and I finally made it happen. With just a €3K budget, I visited 8 in 4 months—Nepal, India, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore.
At the time, I was working for a travel agency in Barcelona. In Spain, employers are required to accept unpaid leave requests, so the process was simple—I just had a meeting with HR, signed some papers, and set my return date.
Those four months were full of incredible moments: seeing the Himalayas, the Taj Mahal, and Maya Bay; riding scooters through breathtaking landscapes; and meeting amazing people from all over the world. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me so much—how to travel on a budget, handle last-minute emergencies, be more patient, plan an itinerary, and truly appreciate minimalism. Seeing how people in different parts of the world live with so little yet remain kind and happy was a humbling experience.
October 2020 – Walking the Camino de Santiago – 1 Month
In the middle of the COVID lockdowns, life in Spain was tough—we weren’t even allowed outside. I was craving nature, movement, and time to reflect. As soon as restrictions eased, I requested another unpaid leave from the same travel agency and set off on the Camino de Santiago with a friend.
This time, my budget was €1K, mostly spent on good hiking shoes, gear, and essentials. While traditionally a religious pilgrimage, I did it more for hiking, emotional reset, and personal growth. I walked 763 km in one month, averaging 25 km per day without a single rest day! And to be honest? I didn’t train at all.
At first, it was incredibly tough, but with a positive mindset, determination, and good company, I pushed through—and I made it! This experience boosted my confidence and taught me an important lesson: don’t listen to people who doubt you. Follow your gut, go for it, and if you fail? Who cares? At least you tried.
September 2024 – My Current Sabbatical – Ongoing
I wanted to go on another sabbatical for several years. Mid 2024, I was feeling deeply unhappy in my job and in my flat in the Netherlands, so I finally decided to take the leap again.
I don’t know how long this sabbatical will last, it has been 1.5 years for now — I’m taking it day by day, and the level of freedom I feel is honestly unreal.
So far, I’ve visited new countries and places I once lived, spent quality time in France with my loved ones, and volunteered for two months at a hostel in Lisbon. That experience was especially meaningful, as owning a hostel one day is one of my biggest dreams. It gave me real insight into the behind-the-scenes reality — and I loved it. I even started learning Portuguese along the way.
I also spent time in Morocco, combining travel, trekking, and volunteering. I went to Asia as well — traveling through Thailand and Malaysia, and spending several months in Nepal. There, I achieved one of my biggest dreams: trekking to the Everest Base Camp. Based mainly in Kathmandu, I embraced slow travel, volunteering, and a simpler, more intentional life.
None of this followed a strict plan. I’ve changed my mind many times and followed my intuition instead. Now, I’m preparing to return to Nepal for another four months — to live, trek, attend a silent retreat, learn Nepali, and enjoy a slower life with friends.
This journey has made me more present and completely redefined what success means to me. I feel freer, more aligned, and at peace than I have in a long time. Let’s see where it leads next.
Final Thoughts
So, after reading all this, are you feeling more inspired to take the leap? Totally cool either way! I think everyone could benefit from a sabbatical at some point, though I also get that not everyone feels the urge.
Personally, I love working, and I’m definitely driven, but I’m also a huge believer in putting your personal life first. I honestly think that’s what truly matters in the long run—it’s where you find your most meaningful moments. And the beautiful thing is, a sabbatical doesn’t have to be forever. It can be short, you can always go back to what you were doing.
Maybe it changes everything for you. Maybe it just gives you a well-needed reset. Either way, the time you take for yourself is never wasted. Because at the end of the day, life isn’t just about working and doing —it’s about actually being and living.
What would you like to do during your sabbatical? 🌍✨
Interested in volunteering? Check out my article for all the details!
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