Thinking of a career break/sabbatical?
Discussion
Tl;dr
Who has taken a career break/sabbatical (3-12 months), and how did you find it? Was it everything you expected? Were you able to keep yourself occupied? Did you have any regrets?
Full story;
I left university over ten years ago; I’ve had three high-stress jobs since then, and I have never had more than two weeks out of the office.
During this time, there have many occasions when I’ve felt sick with stress and anxiety, but I was unable to quit due to not having suitable savings.
I enjoy my current job day to day, but I do suffer from periods of stress, and I do question why I’ve spent almost every day for the past ten years sitting in front of a computer for 8 hours a day.
Fortunately, I’m now in a position where money isn’t everything. I’m in my 30’s and have no debt, and no big bills on the horizon. My utility and food bills cost about £440 a month, and I have £20k in savings.
I think it’s fair to say I could live comfortably without earning an income for a while, and I’ve been starting to daydream about handing in my notice and just having a bit of me-time.
No more teams’ meetings, no more board room presentations, no more office politics, no more stress, at least not for a while.
I’ve got plenty of free/cheap hobbies to fill my time up, from reading to cycling, visiting free museums, DIY, or just spending time with my ageing parents.
I’ve also got friends and family worldwide who would love for me to stay with them for a few weeks (or even months), so COVID aside, that is definitely an option.
I’d also spend time looking at my career options, potentially capitalising on the fact I am debt free and doing something I enjoy that pays less.
I’ve even thought about joining the Army reserves for a bit of pocket money and to keep me occupied and active, but that is another thread all on its own.
My only real concern is that if I do decide to go back to my career, I may not get a job that pays as much as I earn now. I’m currently on just over £70k, but this is £10k-20k more than most similar roles advertised now.
What are people’s thoughts? Am I in fantasy land?
Who has taken a career break/sabbatical (3-12 months), and how did you find it? Was it everything you expected? Were you able to keep yourself occupied? Did you have any regrets?
Full story;
I left university over ten years ago; I’ve had three high-stress jobs since then, and I have never had more than two weeks out of the office.
During this time, there have many occasions when I’ve felt sick with stress and anxiety, but I was unable to quit due to not having suitable savings.
I enjoy my current job day to day, but I do suffer from periods of stress, and I do question why I’ve spent almost every day for the past ten years sitting in front of a computer for 8 hours a day.
Fortunately, I’m now in a position where money isn’t everything. I’m in my 30’s and have no debt, and no big bills on the horizon. My utility and food bills cost about £440 a month, and I have £20k in savings.
I think it’s fair to say I could live comfortably without earning an income for a while, and I’ve been starting to daydream about handing in my notice and just having a bit of me-time.
No more teams’ meetings, no more board room presentations, no more office politics, no more stress, at least not for a while.
I’ve got plenty of free/cheap hobbies to fill my time up, from reading to cycling, visiting free museums, DIY, or just spending time with my ageing parents.
I’ve also got friends and family worldwide who would love for me to stay with them for a few weeks (or even months), so COVID aside, that is definitely an option.
I’d also spend time looking at my career options, potentially capitalising on the fact I am debt free and doing something I enjoy that pays less.
I’ve even thought about joining the Army reserves for a bit of pocket money and to keep me occupied and active, but that is another thread all on its own.
My only real concern is that if I do decide to go back to my career, I may not get a job that pays as much as I earn now. I’m currently on just over £70k, but this is £10k-20k more than most similar roles advertised now.
What are people’s thoughts? Am I in fantasy land?
You only live once if you have the spare money and no debt with low bills do it can also take on a short term job to top up your income if and when it's needed.
Might end up falling into something you enjoy and change path all together and never look back. However don't burn your bridges or maybe ask if possible you could return to your old job if things don't work out.
Life is to short working making someone else rich assuming you are a employee
Might end up falling into something you enjoy and change path all together and never look back. However don't burn your bridges or maybe ask if possible you could return to your old job if things don't work out.
Life is to short working making someone else rich assuming you are a employee
Left school in 1987 and worked in the City until I decided I wanted a bit of a break after 25 years.
Decided not to renew my contract and intended to take 3 months out but my wife’s cancer returned, so the 3 months turned into 6 months, at which point she was still very ill but I think I was getting under her feet TBH, so I went back to the City (was lucky to not have to look for a job - one fell into my lap).
Sadly she passed away a few months later, the day after our daughter’s 13th birthday. I’m still at the same place but am very aware that it could end at any time and if it does, I’d like to think that I’d probably take another break or maybe jack it in all together if the timing was right.
I often say to my kids that I don’t regret anything in my life and that I’m glad I’ve done what I’ve done when I did it but that if I was doing it all again, I’d have travelled a bit more before starting work properly.
Not sure that answers the question but I guess what I’m saying is, if it feels right, do it
Decided not to renew my contract and intended to take 3 months out but my wife’s cancer returned, so the 3 months turned into 6 months, at which point she was still very ill but I think I was getting under her feet TBH, so I went back to the City (was lucky to not have to look for a job - one fell into my lap).
Sadly she passed away a few months later, the day after our daughter’s 13th birthday. I’m still at the same place but am very aware that it could end at any time and if it does, I’d like to think that I’d probably take another break or maybe jack it in all together if the timing was right.
I often say to my kids that I don’t regret anything in my life and that I’m glad I’ve done what I’ve done when I did it but that if I was doing it all again, I’d have travelled a bit more before starting work properly.
Not sure that answers the question but I guess what I’m saying is, if it feels right, do it
I took a four year sabbatical living off my wife's earnings while I leisurely gutted our home completely and renovating it.
I could of done it far quicker but why rush and once sold i recouped my lost wages downsizing to our forever home.
Now aged 53 I plan to retire next year and enjoy life with our new granddaughter ,walks,holidays etc..
Do it but use the time wisely is my advice..
I could of done it far quicker but why rush and once sold i recouped my lost wages downsizing to our forever home.
Now aged 53 I plan to retire next year and enjoy life with our new granddaughter ,walks,holidays etc..
Do it but use the time wisely is my advice..
Do it, you’re in a fortunate position!
Speak to current employer - if they agree a sabbatical then you go back to the salary you know and it takes away the worry of what happens at the end of the sabatical. If you quit, then worrying about your next role could be its own stressful thing on your mind, rather than enjoying the break
Speak to current employer - if they agree a sabbatical then you go back to the salary you know and it takes away the worry of what happens at the end of the sabatical. If you quit, then worrying about your next role could be its own stressful thing on your mind, rather than enjoying the break
I’ve seen two people do this in our workplace
Sadly neither was for trips away etc.
One the poor bloke came into the office and confirmed his wife’s cancer had turned terminal. She had been given 6-12months and he asked can I please take this time off I’ve no certain timescale but I need to do it. Of course we agreed - it happened sooner than he had expected but he was off a good year to come to terms with it.
Another was a lovely lady who had breast cancer and her mum had died so she asked for open ended sabbatical- we of course agreed and she returned when she was fine to do so.
If you can do it do so - sounds like you need it.
Ideally get your current employer to agree to a sabbatical so you can walk back into a role on your return.
Sadly neither was for trips away etc.
One the poor bloke came into the office and confirmed his wife’s cancer had turned terminal. She had been given 6-12months and he asked can I please take this time off I’ve no certain timescale but I need to do it. Of course we agreed - it happened sooner than he had expected but he was off a good year to come to terms with it.
Another was a lovely lady who had breast cancer and her mum had died so she asked for open ended sabbatical- we of course agreed and she returned when she was fine to do so.
If you can do it do so - sounds like you need it.
Ideally get your current employer to agree to a sabbatical so you can walk back into a role on your return.
Two things I would say is yes do it but 20k is not a big cushion in this day and age. Even with no debt you must have other living costs over 400 quid a month. 20k must be under a years income for even the most frugal person. And there's not much point having a sabbatical without a bit of travel thrown in.
It's something I'm doing the second we have the last kid off to to Uni! Mine will be done touring Europe in the sunshine!
It's something I'm doing the second we have the last kid off to to Uni! Mine will be done touring Europe in the sunshine!
Thanks for the comments so far everyone.
My utility bills come to £236 (including Spotify/Netflix etc.), so £200 for food (and that's generous), maybe £50 a month for petrol if I get around and obviously I'd need some money for entertainment...but I think I could quite happily live off £1k a month.
fridaypassion said:
Two things I would say is yes do it but 20k is not a big cushion in this day and age. Even with no debt you must have other living costs over 400 quid a month. 20k must be under a years income for even the most frugal person. And there's not much point having a sabbatical without a bit of travel thrown in.
Not really.My utility bills come to £236 (including Spotify/Netflix etc.), so £200 for food (and that's generous), maybe £50 a month for petrol if I get around and obviously I'd need some money for entertainment...but I think I could quite happily live off £1k a month.
Few things come to mind:
Do it for the right reasons (as you’re most likely going to have to explain the pause on a CV and a job interview) and try to retain your current role just in case.
Be specific about the length of pause, otherwise you could drift and lose focus both on what you’re hoping to achieve during your pause and doing the next step.
Reserves can actually pay well if you’re able to commit to more than the minimum; there are even full-time Reserve opportunities.
Good luck!
Do it for the right reasons (as you’re most likely going to have to explain the pause on a CV and a job interview) and try to retain your current role just in case.
Be specific about the length of pause, otherwise you could drift and lose focus both on what you’re hoping to achieve during your pause and doing the next step.
Reserves can actually pay well if you’re able to commit to more than the minimum; there are even full-time Reserve opportunities.
Good luck!
Op, assuming you should be able to get a similar-ish role after taking a career break, I would say do it. My line of work has always been long hours, nature of the role(s) and also my own inefficiency. I sometimes feel like packing it in too...still plodding along though and part of the reason is travelling and holidays over the years, has definately helped to keep me sane.
Before big commitments came along, I am so glad I went travelling in my early 30's....it's one thing I have no regrets about even though cumulatively it left me broke
Before you pull the trigger and let work know (assuming you go ahead) to the extent possible I would try to plan what you want to do during your break to avoid spending much of your break on planning, research etc
Before big commitments came along, I am so glad I went travelling in my early 30's....it's one thing I have no regrets about even though cumulatively it left me broke
Before you pull the trigger and let work know (assuming you go ahead) to the extent possible I would try to plan what you want to do during your break to avoid spending much of your break on planning, research etc
If you know you're now at a point where you could give up work for a year or more and still survive ok, does that not help with your stress levels? I know that for me when I've been unhappy in my career the knowledge I could walk out if I wanted to was always a huge weight off my shoulders - similarly if you interview for other roles and are offered something, it takes the pressure off.
Personally I'd be reluctant to give up completely for a long(ish) period and would echo those suggesting contracting and taking breaks between jobs instead.
The reason I say that is that I can't imagine being so desperate to want out of a job and then happily going back into something similar. Will you not then be in a worse position of having to get back into a - potentially - stressful role but then with no financial safety net, or the prospect of taking a less well paid role to avoid the stress but still having spent your buffer?
My own preference would be to capitalise on a) less stress because you always know you could quit. And b) your frugal living costs and relatively high salary which means you could very quickly get to a point of never needing to work again anyway.
Personally I'd be reluctant to give up completely for a long(ish) period and would echo those suggesting contracting and taking breaks between jobs instead.
The reason I say that is that I can't imagine being so desperate to want out of a job and then happily going back into something similar. Will you not then be in a worse position of having to get back into a - potentially - stressful role but then with no financial safety net, or the prospect of taking a less well paid role to avoid the stress but still having spent your buffer?
My own preference would be to capitalise on a) less stress because you always know you could quit. And b) your frugal living costs and relatively high salary which means you could very quickly get to a point of never needing to work again anyway.
3xAAA said:
Thanks for the advice everyone.
I think as we're coming into winter I'm going to persevere and save everything I earn. Meanwhile, I will plan what I'd like to achieve during any break I take, and maybe consider it in April when the weather is getting better.
Why not take the winter ski season off work go learn how to ski board and coach / travel many resorts Europe Eastern Europe /Western Russia Canada Japan etc. I think as we're coming into winter I'm going to persevere and save everything I earn. Meanwhile, I will plan what I'd like to achieve during any break I take, and maybe consider it in April when the weather is getting better.
You’ll never be able to do it again once with a lady (or man or non binary) and kids no chance then you’ll be late 50’s by the time / opportunity comes around again.
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