When was the last time you took a sabbatical?

We live in a society that values busyness and hard work, where too much rest can be deemed lazy or indulgent. We also live in a society that is over-worked, where disease and stress have been increasing– despite advances in contemporary medicine set to decrease these statistics. Why? Because we work too hard, and don’t take enough time to rest and care for our individual needs.

This year, I’ve been working on incorporating more down time into my schedule.

My decision to do this came as a result of my realising that hard work and over-productivity was making me deeply unhappy. I began experiencing regular burnout, prolonged feelings of stress and overwhelm and semi-regular migraines, prompting me to sit down and ask myself a couple of honest questions:

Am I actually happy?

Am I working toward something worthwhile, something I want?

Or, am I simply working for the sake of working?

Most of us tear through life without really pausing to question whether we are living in a way that is aligned with our values. This is why it’s important to slow down every now and then, to get still and reflect upon the life you are living. A car going 100km/ph cannot change tack at that speed. It needs to ease momentum in order to turn or change direction. Only when we pause can we truly re calibrate and redirect our compass if desired.

Enter the sabbatical.

Sabbatical’s are extended periods of rest– typically from work, but, as I see it, from life in general (from all expectations and obligations.) You could get away for a couple of weeks, or you could stay at home. Then, allow yourself to let go of everything and truly rest and recover from the hustle and bustle of your daily routine.

I typically take a sabbatical around the New Year, to recover from and reflect upon the year that’s been. I like to give myself 2 weeks+ if possible, for I find that it usually takes at least the first week to be able to really relax into a state of rest. Once I’m truly rested, I find that something magical tends to happen… My inspiration comes back! A newfound sense of clarity is reborn, and I have a clearer idea of where I’m at and what I’d like to work on moving forward. I take the time to refine my ideas and set some goals. By the time my sabbatical is coming to an end, I am usually chomping at the bit to get going, reinvigorated and excited about my life. This is how life should feel– and this is the beauty of deep rest.

I find sabbaticals so enriching that I am beginning to work them in more than once a year, just for a couple of days. This isn’t a period of deep rest so much as a purposeful chance to pause, reflect and re calibrate where necessary; to check in with myself and ensure I’m on the track I want to be on.

When you’re used to leading a busy life, it can seem impossible to take a sabbatical. You may be concerned about your work commitments, or the fact that it’s impossible to get away from your family, particularly if there are kids involved. If you feel such obligations, you’re likely in even greater need of a sabbatical! Just do what you can, and remember: your needs are just as important as anybody else’s.

“We would do well to slow down a little, focus on the significant, and truly see the things that matter most.”

– Dieter F. Uchtdorf

When was the last time you took a sabbatical?