25 Benefits of Taking A Sabbatical: My Experience after 7 months Off
Snorkeling and freediving in Bali.
I started my sabbatical with several goals. Those goals can be broken down into four main categories:
Rest
Fun & Inspiration
Growth
Integration & Vision
Each of these categories is connected, but for me, rest was the starting point. I needed it before I could fully embrace the others. Considering that I started my sabbatical in Feb 2024, I am now at 7 months off and here’s a look at 25 of the benefits from my time off.
Rest
After several years of sprinting through the pandemic, where I worked two full-time jobs and completed a Master of Divinity program, I was mentally exhausted. I could’ve kept pushing, but I knew I wasn’t producing my best work anymore. I had dug so deep for so long. I needed and wanted a bigger tank for the years ahead.
A Real Break: I finally got a solid break from the constant pressure of deadlines and projects.
Deep Recovery: This break is allowing me to rejuvenate deeply—mentally, emotionally, and creatively. It’s giving me the space to think clearly and let fresh inspiration emerge.
Integration of Lessons: I’ve given myself time to reflect and integrate the lessons from the last six years of work and study.
Reflecting on Leadership: I’ve had time to assess how I performed in my previous roles and think about how I want to lead better going forward.
Rediscovering My Worth: I’ve remembered that I’m more than just a worker or creator—I’m a human being, loved just as I am. I’ve been able to live this truth out more deeply during this sabbatical.
Fun & Inspiration
My sabbatical wasn’t just about personal growth and recovery—it was about enjoying life and rediscovering joy. After so many years of grinding it out, I wanted to discover my sense of joy and effervescence for life.
Achieving Dreams: I fulfilled a long-held dream by traveling again for several months and exploring new places. I did repeat some countries on this trip (Kenya, Italy, Bali), but also got to visit new ones (Colombia, Nepal).
Everest Base Camp Trek: I trekked to Everest Base Camp, reaching an altitude of 5,364 meters. It was physically tough, but every moment was awe-inspiring.
Freediving: I did two levels of freediving certification in Bali, a new skill I discovered I absolutely love.
Swimming with Manta Rays: I swam with manta rays in Bali—a magical experience I had dreamed of for years.
Discovering New Forms of Travel: Trekking and freediving have become my go-to activities for future trips when I need to restore myself when working full-time.
Beautiful Connections: I met wonderful, kind, and inspiring people during my travels, like the 8 on my trek and the 3 in Bali, who gave me hope for humanity.
A Personal Journey with T: I spent three weeks traveling through Sicily with T. It was a beautiful trip full of love and connection.
Deepening Relationships: I’ve had the headspace and heartspace to deepen my relationship with T, which has been an unexpected and beautiful bonus.
Fresh Inspiration: I’m absorbing new inspiration—personally, professionally, and creatively—that will fuel me for the next stage of my career.
Growth
Beyond resting and inspiration, this time has allowed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. I’ve learned new skills, explored new paths, and found deeper clarity. I’ve experienced growth in different forms: travel, personal, an MBA and love. My travels and my MBA have been particularly meaningful for personal growth.
Volunteering with Purpose: I worked as a photographer and videographer on an H2O4all charity trip in Kenya, combining my passion for travel and purpose-driven work.Returning to Writing: I’ve found the time and joy in writing again, as this blog post is proof of (yay!).
Sharpening My Skills: I learned how to do consulting case interviews and sharpened my mental math skills in the process.
Completing My MBA: I’m well on my way to completing my MBA at Ivey Business School—a significant personal and professional accomplishment.
New Knowledge and Insight: I’ve been learning a lot in my courses! In addition to getting a Finance refresher, I am really enjoying my courses like Corporate Strategy, Marketing to Businesses, and Responsible Governance.
Broadening My Network: The MBA has connected me with an incredible network of professionals, professors, and peers who have already opened doors I never expected.
New Career Possibilities: Through the MBA, I’m discovering new industries, roles, and opportunities that I hadn’t considered before, helping me shape what my next chapter could look like.
Vision & Integration
This sabbatical has helped me envision my future in a more integrated way—aligning my personal growth, my career, and the things I’m passionate about.
Discovering My Next Chapter: I’m gaining clarity on what I feel called to do next—what industry, role, and mission I want to pursue in the next phase of my career. I’m getting clearer on which global issues I want to tackle in my career and where I can make the most impact.
Reflection on Values: I’ve been reflecting on my values and what truly matters to me as I figure out my next steps.
Embracing Downtime: I’m learning to embrace downtime and prioritize what my soul needs most, making necessary trade-offs between my energy and the demands of life.
Anchoring Myself: I’m taking the time to thoughtfully consider all of the above experiences, which helps me feel more anchored and grounded in life.
Trusting God’s Plan: While the MBA opens up so many horizons, it can also cause stress. Yet I’m choosing to trust that God has a plan for my life that’s bigger than I can see. With 6.5 months left in my program, I’m trusting that this time is essential for reflection and growth. I’m learning the benefit of giving myself time—not rushing into decisions, but trusting that things will emerge in their own time.
Taking a sabbatical has been more than just a break—it’s been a time to rest, grow, have fun, and integrate everything I’ve been learning. I feel like I’m coming back with a full tank, ready to take on whatever comes next.
