Seven Lessons From My Sabbatical

A Leap into the Unknown

Have you ever stood on the edge of a bridge, heart pounding, knowing you need to jump but terrified of what comes next? I’ve been there. I felt it in Nepal, standing over a vast unknown below. But I never imagined I’d feel the same when I decided to step away from my 23-year corporate career to take a sabbatical. This time, there were no safety ropes.
The day I made the announcement, the look in my family's eyes said it all—disbelief, concern, and the silent question: What comes next? But nothing could have prepared me for the emotional tidal wave that would follow as I stepped into my sabbatical journey.

The Void That Follows

On the first morning of my sabbatical, I woke up as usual, reflexively reaching for my phone to check emails that weren’t there. This was my first lesson. The meticulously crafted to-do lists that had guided my days were suddenly blank, and the silence of my home, once a luxury, now felt suffocating.
I remember sitting on the couch, cup of cacao growing cold in my hands, thinking, What have I done? The structure that defined my life for over two decades had disappeared overnight, leaving me vulnerable, exposed, and completely unsure of what was next.

A Teacher’s Prophecy

During that first week of my rest, I shared with my teacher from my Existential Coaching course that I was on sabbatical.
"That's wonderful," he said, with a knowing smile. "But are you sure you'll come back?"
His words haunted me. Echoing through restless nights and long, lazy afternoons, I wondered, What did he mean? Of course, I’ll come back… right? Little did I know how prophetic those words would be. The person who would return from this journey would not be the same one who left.

The Journey Begins

As the days stretched into weeks and then months, I began peeling back layers of myself that I didn’t even know existed. Like a snake shedding its skin, the process was slow, often uncomfortable, but undeniably transformative.
This is the story of that transformation—a journey from doing to being, from managing to living, from fear to authenticity. It's a story of rediscovery, of learning to embrace the unknown, and of finding strength in vulnerability.
In this time, I've had the space to reflect, and these are the lessons I’ve learned—lessons that will stay with me forever.

Five Key Lessons from My Sabbatical

1. The Art of Doing Nothing

For years, I had been in constant motion. Learning to simply be was perhaps my greatest challenge – and my most valuable lesson.

• Embrace the void: Allow yourself to experience emptiness without rushing to fill it.
• Observe your thoughts: Notice how your mind reacts to inactivity.
• Find joy in stillness: Discover the peace that comes with quiet moments.

2. Listening to Myself

In the corporate world, I had become an expert at listening to others – clients, colleagues, the market. But I had forgotten how to listen to myself.

• Tune in to your inner voice: Practice daily reflection to hear your true desires.
• Honor your feelings: Acknowledge and validate your emotions without judgment.
• Trust your intuition: Reconnect with your gut instincts in decision-making.

3. The Value of Boredom

Who would have thought that boredom could be a pathway to creativity and self-discovery?

• Resist the urge to be productive: Allow your mind to wander freely.
• Embrace daydreaming: Some of your best ideas may come when you're not trying.
• Rediscover play: Engage in activities simply for the joy of it, not for an outcome.

4. Living, Not Just Functioning

I realized I had been merely functioning, not truly living. This sabbatical taught me to infuse life into every moment.

• Prioritize experiences over tasks: Focus on creating memories, not just checking boxes.
• Cultivate presence: Fully engage in each moment, whether working or relaxing.
• Redefine success: Consider fulfillment and growth as measures of success, not just achievements.

5. The Power of Vulnerability

Letting go of the 'strong leader' facade opened up new depths in my relationships and leadership style.

• Share your struggles: Be open about challenges you face.
• Ask for help: Recognize that seeking support is a strength, not a weakness.
• Embrace imperfection: Allow yourself and others to make mistakes and learn from them.

What else I've got from my vacation

The Depth of the Familiar

Many concepts I explored during my sabbatical weren't new to me intellectually. But experiencing them brought a whole new level of understanding.

• Theory vs. Practice: Recognize the difference between knowing and embodying a concept.
• Revisit old ideas: Look at familiar concepts with fresh eyes.
• Apply knowledge personally: Use what you know in your own life, not just professionally.

The Power of Movement

Physical activity became a cornerstone of my sabbatical experience, profoundly impacting my mental state and leadership approach.

• Integrate regular exercise: Make movement a non-negotiable part of your routine.
• Use physical activity for problem-solving: Some of your best ideas may come during a walk or workout.
• Listen to your body: Your physical state often reflects your mental and emotional condition.