My two-month sabbatical just wrapped up, and honestly, it flew by without the rest I had hoped for. Despite being off work, I couldn’t resist the urge to keep publishing three blog posts a week and sending out weekly updates—yes, even during a family trip to Sonoma where the highlight was enjoying the pool and visiting Train Town with my kids.
This was supposed to be my break from the grind, but aside from that one week, it was business as usual. Two months later, I’m just as weary. I even turned down some business deals hoping to relax, yet here I am, feeling anything but refreshed.
The Reality of a “Restful” Sabbatical
The whole point of a sabbatical should be rejuvenation, right? I wanted to come out of this with renewed energy to be a better father and a more creative writer. However, managing less work with Financial Samurai only to switch that time to hands-on parenting didn’t exactly lighten the load. Kids are a joyful handful, but boy, are they a lot of work!
Dropping my son off at his new preschool was bittersweet. I’m proud of his progress, but I’m already missing our daily adventures. He’s been home with us since the pandemic started, and now he’s stepping into a new chapter filled with potential new friends and learning opportunities. As he starts this journey, my feelings are a mix of nervous excitement and a surprising lack of guilt—it feels right, and he’s ready for it.
Despite the intent to take a real break, being a parent means you’re always on duty, which makes a true sabbatical somewhat unrealistic until the kids are grown.
Why the Sabbatical Wasn’t a Cure-All
Had it just been about keeping up with my blog and parenting, maybe I’d have recuperated somewhat. But no, I had to go and start a book project with Penguin Random House. Writing a book is a beast compared to blogging—every chapter must flow into the next, and the scrutiny from editors is relentless. I’m grateful for their insights, but crafting a manuscript is exhausting. There’s still a couple of months to go on this project, but I’m committed to making it exceptional.
A true sabbatical, according to Michigan State University’s guidelines, is about stepping back to rejuvenate creatively and academically. I had hoped focusing solely on the book would have achieved this, but life had other plans.
Reflections and Revelations
This sabbatical made me realize a few things. First, stepping back from work is harder than anticipated, especially when you’re used to a fast-paced routine. The habit of continuous productivity is a tough one to break. Interestingly, turning down one business deal after another got easier, but the decrease in work just made room for other types of work, like intense parenting and book writing.
I’m proud of the work I managed to do during this time, especially posts that sparked new discussions and insights among my readers. Yet, this sabbatical taught me that if I’m going to try this again, I need more structured support—both from family and myself.
Looking Ahead: Another Try at Downtime
With my son now in preschool, I’m planning another sabbatical attempt. Hopefully, with him away for part of the day, I can truly focus on slowing down. I’ll try cutting down my posting schedule and maybe even get some more help on the blog.
The goal is to balance work and life better. The upcoming break might not cure my workaholism, but it’s worth another shot for the sake of well-being and family time. Let’s see if a more relaxed pace helps me recharge better than before.
So, have you ever had a sabbatical that didn’t go as planned? Or are you a fellow workaholic struggling to step back? I’d love to hear your stories and maybe get some tips on embracing rest.
