You Have Permission To Take a Break
Photo from the Himayalas while on sabbatical, March 2024.
Everyone’s path to taking a sabbatical will look different. No two lives are the same. But when it comes to the main obstacles people face, there are usually two things that come up:
“I don’t have the time for it.”
“I don’t have the money for it.”
Both of these challenges really come down to our beliefs about life—what we believe about time and money. But are these beliefs actually true? Is there really not enough time? Or not enough money to do what you want?
Let’s dig into that.
Beliefs About Time: Who Owns Your Life?
At the core of it, the questions about time really ask: who or what is in control of your life?
For me, the belief that I can and should take a sabbatical comes from this feeling that life is a gift from God. I’m here to make the most of it. That means doing my best work, loving the people around me well, and taking care of myself so I can show up as my best self—for God, for myself, and for others.
I can’t create my best work if I’m not rested. I can’t be a great friend, sister, or partner if I’m running on empty. I can’t even connect with God properly if I’m exhausted.
Even if you don’t believe in God, it’s worth thinking about where that voice telling you “you can’t take time off” is coming from. Who or what is really in charge of your time?
I believe time is a gift, and life itself is a gift.
In some cultures, people don’t even clock their work hours. In others, you get six weeks of vacation off the bat. Knowing that these places exist reminds me that there are other ways of living. I get to belong to both worlds—the fast-paced, efficiency-driven one and the one where time just flows slower, like an endless beach day.
Moving Between Worlds
The best part? I don’t have to be stuck in just one world. I have the freedom to move between them.
There was a time when I thought I’d travel forever, living in tropical paradises and jumping from one adventure to the next. But after a while, I started to feel a gentle pull to return to Canada. I realized that maybe it wasn’t a bad thing to be Canadian after all. Maybe it was a gift. I had access to so many resources, and maybe it was time to put them to good use and contribute something meaningful to the world.
At some point, the constant travel didn’t give me the same sense of purpose it used to. I wanted to do more, make more of an impact. That’s why I came back to the city in 2018.
But staying in the city forever? That wasn’t sustainable either. I needed an escape hatch. That’s when I knew it was time to start planning a sabbatical.
Don’t let anyone convince you that you can’t leave your job or take a break. If it’s the right time, another job or opportunity will come when you need it.
I believe that if you’re listening to Life (or God, or your inner wisdom), you’ll be led to the next right thing. And if that next thing is a sabbatical, maybe that’s why you’re here reading this. :)
You’re Allowed to Dream of a Sabbatical
Sabbaticals aren’t just for “lucky” people. You are lucky. You can create a life that’s full of both good work and good rest.
To me, a sabbatical is about anchoring myself in a reality where there’s time for what truly matters.
Rest is just as important as work. Periods of dormancy and reflection are part of being human. They’re essential.
So yes, you have permission to dream of taking a sabbatical—and to actually take one, if that’s what you feel called to do.
Beliefs About Money: Who is Your True Source?
“I don’t have the money to take a sabbatical.” But is that really true?
I get it—money can be a sensitive topic, and everyone’s situation is different. But I’ll share a bit of my own experience to show how I made it work.
First off, I know I’m in a unique place in life. I don’t have kids or a partner to support. I’m financially independent and only responsible for myself. I also have a solid family foundation, and I know that if something unexpected came up, I could lean on my parents or extended family. That safety net definitely gives me peace of mind that not everyone has.
On top of that, I believe in a good God who’s the ultimate source of my life, well-being, and resources.
From that place, I trust that if I’m meant to take a sabbatical, the money will come. As a believer, I feel entitled to that gift of time. It’s a part of the package.
You Can’t Afford Not to Take a Break
The way I see it, I can’t afford not to plan for extended times off. Without them, my creativity dries up, my soul feels empty, and even my work starts to suffer.
So in trusting that I need rest, I also trust that the means to take that rest will show up. Of course, I live in the real world where money has to come from somewhere.
In an upcoming blog, I’ll share more about the practical side—how I funded my sabbatical and how you can, too.
