I can definitely see the benefits of disappearing for a while, I think the trouble is many people see that as a fix in of itself, but forget the reflection you added in
Rick (and Jack) you are 100% correct that the sabbatical has to be infused with introspection to really get the desired effect. After being laid off in 2023 from a health tech company, I decided to take a sabbatical. I spent 6 weeks traveling Europe and considering what was going to be next. The goal I made for myself was that I would only go places I hadn't been before, except for ending in London (my ancestral hometown), and I had to do one thing every day outside my comfort zone. In order to keep myself interacting with people, I set a goal to have meaningful conversations with locals about their healthcare systems, because that's what I know. Inevitably, we would talk about other things because I found they were just as curious about me as I was them. When I came home, I had a much clearer vision of what I wanted going forward. While I deviated from that for about a year, I now have much more resolve--and joy!--about my New World of Work.
Do you have an end date for your sabbatical? Or is it open ended? I’m just wondering how much of how you are processing this time in your life is conditioned by knowing that it will end and you will return to “that other life,” whatever that is. I know that I will never return to “that other life” (which I frequently call “the bullshit machine”), though I still feel like I have not yet discovered fully what the “new life” means.
I used to have an end date, but don't anymore (my circumstances are unique as I was part of a company with an exit, creating time for me to figure everything out).
In some ways, I feel like my sabbatical ended and I'm now living through the new normal, which is creating things on the fly.
Ohh this is so relatable. It reminds me of the term "wintering" so to speak, where you retreat but you're not taking a full-on sabbatical. I have stepped back significantly from work, so I haven't totally quit, but the space I have now has been so freeing.
Sarah - it's great you've been able to experience something similar too. And I love the concept of "wintering"... I think there are so many clues in nature around having seasons in life, yet we attempt to live that is fixed and never-ending. One big unlock for me is flowing with the ebbs-and-flows of life rather than trying to plow through them like a machine.
The point about using your old network for a new problem really resonates with me.
Since I lost my job a week ago, I already had some partners from my old firm ask me what I’m planning to do next and offer to introduce me to their connections at big engineering companies. Those roles make perfect sense if you’re just looking at my CV and thinking “how can I build this into a traditionally successful career?”
And I know they mean really well.
But I’ve been feeling really stressed about it and have no interest in working at another large corporation. Your article helps me understand where that disconnect is coming from.
What I need right now is not another job like the ones I’ve had (and wasn’t happy with). I need space for experimentation and reflection :)
If you can manage it, it does sound like you need some space for reflection, so you to come back grounded in your next move.
One tip: make sure to still be grateful to those old colleagues. Like you said, they mean well - it's not like they know what you're going through.
And maybe after some space, you realize you want to go back (even if it's hard to picture now). Maybe you need those connections for a bridge job or consulting.
I can definitely see the benefits of disappearing for a while, I think the trouble is many people see that as a fix in of itself, but forget the reflection you added in
Good point. Escaping alone doesn't always bring answers.
But for people who NEVER escape... it could be a catalyst for answers.
Yeah, I definitely agree
Rick (and Jack) you are 100% correct that the sabbatical has to be infused with introspection to really get the desired effect. After being laid off in 2023 from a health tech company, I decided to take a sabbatical. I spent 6 weeks traveling Europe and considering what was going to be next. The goal I made for myself was that I would only go places I hadn't been before, except for ending in London (my ancestral hometown), and I had to do one thing every day outside my comfort zone. In order to keep myself interacting with people, I set a goal to have meaningful conversations with locals about their healthcare systems, because that's what I know. Inevitably, we would talk about other things because I found they were just as curious about me as I was them. When I came home, I had a much clearer vision of what I wanted going forward. While I deviated from that for about a year, I now have much more resolve--and joy!--about my New World of Work.
Great story! Thanks for sharing Lisa.
Do you have an end date for your sabbatical? Or is it open ended? I’m just wondering how much of how you are processing this time in your life is conditioned by knowing that it will end and you will return to “that other life,” whatever that is. I know that I will never return to “that other life” (which I frequently call “the bullshit machine”), though I still feel like I have not yet discovered fully what the “new life” means.
I used to have an end date, but don't anymore (my circumstances are unique as I was part of a company with an exit, creating time for me to figure everything out).
In some ways, I feel like my sabbatical ended and I'm now living through the new normal, which is creating things on the fly.
I'm not sure I'll ever return...
Ohh this is so relatable. It reminds me of the term "wintering" so to speak, where you retreat but you're not taking a full-on sabbatical. I have stepped back significantly from work, so I haven't totally quit, but the space I have now has been so freeing.
Sarah - it's great you've been able to experience something similar too. And I love the concept of "wintering"... I think there are so many clues in nature around having seasons in life, yet we attempt to live that is fixed and never-ending. One big unlock for me is flowing with the ebbs-and-flows of life rather than trying to plow through them like a machine.
Hey Rick, thank you for writing this!
The point about using your old network for a new problem really resonates with me.
Since I lost my job a week ago, I already had some partners from my old firm ask me what I’m planning to do next and offer to introduce me to their connections at big engineering companies. Those roles make perfect sense if you’re just looking at my CV and thinking “how can I build this into a traditionally successful career?”
And I know they mean really well.
But I’ve been feeling really stressed about it and have no interest in working at another large corporation. Your article helps me understand where that disconnect is coming from.
What I need right now is not another job like the ones I’ve had (and wasn’t happy with). I need space for experimentation and reflection :)
Hey Anna - I'm glad it resonated.
If you can manage it, it does sound like you need some space for reflection, so you to come back grounded in your next move.
One tip: make sure to still be grateful to those old colleagues. Like you said, they mean well - it's not like they know what you're going through.
And maybe after some space, you realize you want to go back (even if it's hard to picture now). Maybe you need those connections for a bridge job or consulting.