Considering Taking a Sabbatical? Here’s How It Could Benefit You
For almost twenty-five years, I worked in education. And just like your eleven-year-old neighbor counting down the days until summer vacation, I longed for the break too. The weather heating up and the days becoming longer, all signaled that summer vacation was right around the corner. Even now, in a completely different phase of life, I’m reminded that many of us could benefit from reconnecting with that “summer kid” who longed for ice cream trucks, no schedules, and the sheer joy of slowing down.
That’s exactly where the concept of a sabbatical comes in.
What Is a Sabbatical?
A sabbatical is simply “a rest or break from work; an extended period of time intentionally spent on something that is not your routine job.” Several decades ago our university systems offered Sabbaticals for full time teaching professors. But, it’s not just for professors or corporate leaders — it’s for anyone who needs to reset.
The benefit? Sabbaticals likely encourage creativity, productivity, and a renewed sense of approach, dedication, and perhaps vigor. The root of the word sabbatical is after all Sabbath which seems to point to even the Lord rested on the seventh day.
So if sabbaticals are that rewarding, when was the last time YOU took a sabbatical? When was the last time you took the longer way, the path less traveled, or even allowed yourself the unstructured time of the summer (or anytime) to just amble through the days?
My Sabbatical Journey: Choosing Rest Over Routine
This past summer, I took a break from my typically scheduled days to just relax, read, walk Arnie, to free up my days and to travel more. It wasn’t a jam in everything kind of week to be able to finally relax for a week; it was several months of just a different pace, a different purpose, to sit still, to literally put the to do list away.
I traveled over 2,000 miles with Arnie, my fearless four-legged companion, over two thousand miles through eight states. He loves the car more than I do and most days we’d travel anywhere from four to nine hours in the car. The open air, the hills, the plains, the fun picnics along the way all set the foundation for a summer sabbatical. No real plan, no need to produce something, no production required, just me, and Arnie.
I traveled more than I typically do in the summer. I even took monthly trips without Arnie to new parts of the country. I journaled at times and at others I just immersed myself in books and chose to read rather than write or document. I spent less time taking pictures and more time just sitting in the moments.
For me the past few months have been a chance to reset, savor new foods, try new things, explore, take in moments that I didn’t capture on my phone, to take a break from posting my adventures, and to create my own path to adventure.
The result? A calmer, more relaxed, more creative spirit spiking through.
How to Create Your Own Sabbatical (Big or Small)
One of the best parts of a sabbatical is that it’s yours to design. You don’t need to book a one-way ticket across the world (though you could!). You could just as easily create a sabbatical at home by moving through your days differently than before. If you’re wondering how to start, here are a few practical steps you can take:
Pick your pace. Your sabbatical can be one week or one season. What matters is that it feels different from your “normal.”
Loosen your grip. Don’t over-schedule. Allow for quiet mornings, naps, or spontaneous walks.
Follow your curiosity. Try something new or explore a long-lost hobby. Let your interest guide you.
Disconnect to reconnect. Limit screen time so you can be present in your own life again.
Give yourself grace. The goal isn’t productivity — it’s presence.
The Value of a Sabbatical for Women in Midlife
As women, we often spend decades caring for careers, families, and communities. A sabbatical is a reminder that your well-being matters, too.
Taking intentional time to reset — whether through travel, rest, or simply changing your daily rhythm — helps you return with more clarity, joy, and energy.
So my challenge to you: plan a sabbatical within the next six months. It doesn’t have to be long. It just has to be freeing and less structured. Keep me posted on what you decide. Until then, here’s to the journey ahead.
