Embracing the Sabbatical: Finding Balance and Growth
The last few months have been a whirlwind. I went from working non-stop on an event—logging crazy hours—and wrapping up an intense whirlwind site visit, to… nothing. Absolutely nothing.
You see, my company offers a fantastic sabbatical program, allowing employees to take six weeks off to reset and recharge. Many of my colleagues use this time to take incredible trips or embark on exciting adventures. But for someone like me—a self-proclaimed workaholic who thrives on being busy—the idea of taking so much time off felt daunting. What would I even do with all that time?
To ease into the sabbatical experience, I decided to create my own version of it. I planned to work part-time, limiting myself to three days a week, thinking shorter weeks would be all I could handle. Spoiler alert: it didn’t work. With an upcoming event in full swing, my “part-time” schedule turned into 40-hour workweeks crammed into just three days. Unsurprisingly, I burned out. I failed to set clear boundaries and didn’t create a solid plan for how my team could support me during my absence.
Fast-forward to after the event: I was done. Exhausted. I realized I truly needed a break. So, I committed to taking the rest of the year off, starting Thanksgiving week, and finally embracing the sabbatical in its full glory.
Week One: A Breath of Fresh Air
The first week was amazing. My family and I took a vacation—a real one, not tied to a baseball tournament—and I finally relaxed. But once the vacation ended, the kids went back to college, and my husband left for a business trip, I found myself home alone. And that’s when the challenge really began.
What Now?
At first, I tried to keep busy. I tackled DIY projects, binged Breaking Bad (what a show!), went on long walks, and worked out more. But even with all that, something still felt off. It was hard not to feel disconnected or aimless without my usual structure.
That’s when I decided to channel my energy into professional development. With time on my hands and no work distractions, I could focus on honing my event planning skills and diving into new topics.
The Power of Learning Without Distraction
It’s incredible how much you can absorb when you’re not squeezing in classes during lunch breaks or late nights. I enrolled in a course on Strategic Event Audience Engagement, which was right up my alley. It combined my love of design thinking with my customer-centric approach to events, teaching me fresh strategies for designing and marketing experiences. I plan to write another post about what I learned from the course.
Looking Ahead
This sabbatical has been a journey of self-discovery and growth, and I’m still in the midst of it. With a few weeks left, I’m focusing on fully embracing this rare opportunity to reset, learn, and reflect. It’s amazing how stepping away from the daily grind can provide a fresh perspective. I’m looking forward to returning to work in January, recharged and ready to apply everything I’ve learned to create even better events.
