Introduction
When life starts to feel too small for who you’re becoming, most people think they have only two options: endure or explode.
But there’s a third option—one that doesn’t require quitting everything or waiting for a crisis to force your hand.
A personal sabbatical.
You don’t have to be an academic or an executive to take time away. You don’t need permission from anyone else.
You only need a willingness to pause long enough to remember what you want.
This post is about how to design a sabbatical that clears your mind, restores your energy, and helps you return with a new perspective.
Step 1: Redefine What Sabbatical Means
A sabbatical doesn’t have to be:
A year-long trip around the world
A six-month unpaid leave
A dramatic resignation
It can be:
30 days away from client work
A month without social media
A summer to explore a creative project
A reset from commitments that drain you
The essence is stepping out of your normal patterns to create space for reflection.
Step 2: Decide What You’re Taking a Break From
Be specific:
Work?
Content creation?
Family obligations?
Certain clients or projects?
Digital overwhelm?
Clarity prevents you from recreating the same pressures in a different form.
Step 3: Define the Purpose
Not every sabbatical is about productivity.
Ask yourself:
Do I need rest or inspiration?
Do I want to explore new ideas?
Am I seeking clarity on a decision?
Do I simply need space to be a person, not a role?
Your purpose will shape your structure.
Step 4: Create Financial and Logistical Plans
A sabbatical requires preparation:
Calculate how much income you need to cover your basics.
Identify expenses you can pause or reduce.
Save in advance or create a bridge fund.
Communicate with clients, collaborators, or family.
Practical planning makes space for real rest.
Step 5: Establish Boundaries and Expectations
Decide:
Will you check email?
Will you take calls?
How will you communicate your availability?
What happens if an emergency arises?
Write down your boundaries and share them with anyone who needs to know.
Step 6: Choose an Anchor Practice
A sabbatical without structure can drift into distraction.
Choose an anchor:
Daily journaling
Long walks without your phone
Reading for insight, not output
A creative ritual that reconnects you to yourself
This practice gives shape to your days without turning them into another to-do list.
Step 7: Resist the Urge to Fill the Space Immediately
At first, the quiet will feel uncomfortable.
You might feel guilt, restlessness, or the urge to prove you’re still productive.
Let it be.
The point is to create enough emptiness that new thoughts and desires have room to emerge.
Step 8: Plan for Re-Entry
Before you return:
Review what you learned.
Decide what you’re not bringing back.
Identify commitments that no longer serve you.
Set new boundaries around your energy and focus.
A sabbatical isn’t just a break—it’s an inflection point.
Final Thought
You don’t have to torch your life to find yourself again.
A personal sabbatical is a declaration:
I am allowed to pause.
I am allowed to question.
I am allowed to choose something different.
Take the time. You’ll return clearer, stronger, and more loyal to the life you actually want.
— Sloane MacRae
