#38 How to sabbatical the right way?
I wish I knew this before taking a sabbatical!
Read Time - 6.5 minutes
Sabbatical- The term is defined as - a rest or break from work; "an extended period of time intentionally spent on something that's not your routine job".
I recently completed 6 months in to my sabbatical, as scary as it sounds, I had never imagined I will take this long a break from work ever! I went in to this without a plan mostly because I was so burnt out, I didn’t have the mental capacity to even think of a plan.
The things i have described didn’t happen to me in that order, so my initial days in to sabbatical were filled with anxiety. I wanted to fill every waking second in to doing something productive. Anything less felt like I am not making use of time efficiently. I was trying to fill the cup which was already overflowing. But as things slowly happened to me, I could overcome anxiety.
I have learnt in the process so many things which I can recommend for anyone who is trying to take a sabbatical or quit altogether.
#1 How to make the shift?
It is absolutely critical to think about shift your perspective about what you want to do? Because with what centred thinking, our focus is narrowed down to tactics and processes. I was there too, but after I read Paul’s book, I realised that it is much more effective to think in terms of conversations. What are the ongoing conversations you want to be part of? What are the questions that are driving you toward curiosity, naturally. How do you feel about building your life journey around those questions?
#2 When to take sabbatical? Know when to quit.
For me it came very naturally, to take this break. If not for anything I honestly just wanted to discover what more is there in the world for me. When to take a sabbatical although is a very personal choice, but it is also important to have an awareness. Are you in the mental space to do the job or are you just pushing because you want to be busy, or you have just believed that you would not have anything better to do otherwise.
#3 Prepare for the sabbatical.
The most important preparation you need to do for a sabbatical however short it might be, is to figure out if you can manage to run every day expenses for the duration of your sabbatical for you and your family if you have one. I honestly suggest that if you have financial support around you, take it without shame, because know that you will be able to pay back later in not just money but also by being a better version of you.
Another important factor is to prepare your mind for free time. Know that you can only do so much to fill your time of the day and you are going to have loads of free time, embrace that before you take the plunge.
Leave with good terms with your organisation. Prepare a compelling email to send to your work place in a way that you would have the option to go back to work if something goes wrong.
#4 What to actually do in your sabbatical?
This is again a topic that entirely depends on an individual, but I still believe that I can give a general guidance for anyone who is thinking of taking a break or is already in one and feeling overwhelmed.
Part1- Emptiness- Empty your mind
Emptying the mind is crucial to make space for other ideas to reside in your mind. We are often limited by the ideas of the world. we have already with time. If you are seeking radical change, all the stale thoughts, ideas, patterns must be kept aside if not completely vanished.
The best way to achieve this is by participating in a retreat. You can achieve this being at home, by practicing mindful emptiness if you have the willpower for it. But there is value in being in a controlled environment to just focus on emptying your mind.
Part2- Create a forest of ideas
When you mind is empty you are ready to receive, ideas, thoughts, change, anything really. This is the time to let your mind wander as far, as radical as it can possibly wander. This can be done by travelling, renting a cabin in the woods, or any other activity which helps you get in to this zone. I personally recommend volunteering. I practiced karma yoga in the form of volunteering in southern India. I can’t possibly tell you the change it brought in me just by being there, doing the chores, not competing with anyone, getting the body to work, just feeling the morning and evening happen around me. Most importantly, it made me realise how much I enjoyed dancing, how much I loved teaching as a child, how I laughed and cried without inhibitions. Read more about my experience here and here.
It is also very helpful if you record and write about things that you enjoyed during this experience and build upon each of them. Imagine how life would feel like if you did those activities more. This is when you generate lots of ideas. I call it building the “forest of ideas”.
Part-3 Find your Tribe
It is very easy to fell alone in this journey, because not many are brave enough to consider other options for themselves. I stopped talking to friends who either didn’t support my decision or were critical of it because I knew with all my heart that I wanted it.
It is however important to really look for people who are in a similar path as you. It will give you the confidence to stay on the path.
Part 4- Convert to Action
This is the phase in your sabbatical when you have returned fresh and rejuvenated to your former life. I am pretty confident you will feel very different about life if you followed the previous steps. The sabbatical doesn’t end here. This is where many tend to rush back to work. You took a lot of effort planning and with a lot of difficulty you actually executed your wish, you don’t want all of this to go to dump. This is the time where you really wan to push yourself, you want to really build on what you learnt in the journey you took. Here are some things you can think of at this point-
Sort out most impactful ideas, which you resonated most with from your forest of ideas. And craft a rough but detailed description of what that path might look like. Write down how your day might look like, how will your life change if you followed this path in general. Looking at the everyday of the path really makes us think if this path is something that you would enjoy being on. Do this with at least 5 paths. I’m sure you will learn more about yourself than you would think.
When you have an idea about which paths you might take up. See what are the next steps. Consider taking up courses that might help you peddle further.
Consider studying a subject more deeply, taking up a course in a university.
Consider switching field if the path is more accessible.
Consider creating content part time about one of the topics from your forest of ideas.
Consider starting something part time along side your job if switching is not possible immediately.
Consider documenting your journey either in writing or video or any other form you might be comfortable with.
If this seems overwhelming, please know that you are not alone. I did all these exercises, and it took me almost a month to get some clarity of thought. I honestly can say that if you do these things, you will have a very fruitful sabbatical where you will actually grow and make hard decisions.
I really appreciate people who are trying to get better, if you are one of them, cheers to you! If you need help plan your sabbatical, or if you have comments about your own sabbatical, please email me - ana15academic@gmail.com, or just leave a text below. Happy to help. :)