A Life Sabbatical Can Take Many Different Forms. What Would Yours Look Like?

More people than ever are deciding to take a work-approved sabbatical. It's an opportunity to enjoy an extended break from everyday life to travel and explore new places, or to take on a challenge or a project you've always wanted to do, but you've never had the time to make it happen. 

Well, the good news is that it's never too late to make these dreams a reality. Yes, it takes some planning, but the practicalities are achievable and the possibilities are endless.

So what would your sabbatical look like?

 

 

What Is A Life Sabbatical?

A life sabbatical is effectively a gap year for grown ups. It's an extended, planned break from work that gives you an opportunity to step away from your everyday routines and responsibilities. It’s time out from your Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 workday, that extends beyond the usual holiday timeframe and gives you a chance to reflect and grow as a person. 

Making time for yourself in this way can inspire you and help reshape your perspective. It can also help to protect you against burnout. When you return to work you’ll feel recharged and ready to embrace the challenges, old and new, that are part of your everyday life.

 

When Should You Take A Sabbatical?

Right now! Gap years are not the sole domain of students. Maybe you’re planning to start a family in the near future and want to take time out before the responsibilities of parenthood kick in, or your children have flown the nest and it’s time to focus on your own needs again. Or maybe you're stuck in a rut and need a new challenge, or you can feel the effects of burnout creeping in. Whatever your reasons, there’s no better time than right now to look into the possibilities that a sabbatical can offer. 

Who says you have wait until retirement to make your dreams a reality? Really, if you stop to think about the pressures of working life and factor in health scares and global events, why would you wait? There are no age restrictions on taking time out to travel, and there are no rules. However you see it happening, the time to start planning your sabbatical is now! 

 

 

What Does A Sabbatical Look Like?

What your sabbatical looks like is entirely up to you. You can plan your trip together with a partner or friend, or make it a solo adventure. For some people it's a chance to travel around the globe visiting lots of exotic new places. For others it’s about having an extended cultural experience, moving around at a slower pace as you take a camper van trip through Europe or a motor home journey across America. Some people use their sabbatical as an opportunity to take on a project or a challenge they’ve always wanted to do, whether that’s sailing around the world, trekking across a mountain range or volunteering on a conservation project.  

The possibilities are endless, and whatever your life sabbatical looks like, it can present you with a life changing opportunity of self discovery. A new chapter in your life where you can step away from the everyday pressures to reset your mind, body and soul by experiencing new adventures or taking time out to simply be. 

 

How Can I Make My Sabbatical A Reality?

If you don’t ask, you don’t get, right? So the first step is to speak with your HR manager about the possibility of a period of unpaid leave. If you're self employed, it's about creating a gap in your schedule, free of committments. The beauty of a sabbatical is that your time away from work is planned and approved, giving you the financial security of a job to return to.

Speaking of finances, if funding is a factor in turning your sabbatical dream a reality, a personal loan could be the answer. A personal loan is a flexible resource in your financial toolkit that can help to elevate the experience. It gives you the freedom to use the funds however you need to, so that you can plan the trip of a lifetime and get the most out of your time off. 

And then comes the fun part - mapping out what it is that you want to do and where you want to go! 

 

If you’re looking for expert guidance to help you secure your personal loan - and cover your travel insurance needs - speak to the experts at Cherry Godfrey.