Why and how I took a sabbatical from work

You have a week off from work starting next week and this can throw many people into a mad frenzy of calendar-clearing schedules and last minute rushed meetings. Taking a sabbatical for three months (without pay), will seem absolutely insane. No, I am not a billionaire nor do I have a stash of cash stored under my bed.

I love my job. I absolutely love doing the things I do at work. The decision to take a sabbatical was always going to be a tough one. The 3 questions that constantly played on my mind - "Why do you need this? Is this the right time? What about your monthly payouts towards loans and financial security?"

Well, my mind struggled. And struggled. And struggled a bit more, till the answers eventually came.

I need this because I am tired of doing the same thing day in and day out, week after week, for 16 years, without a break. This is as good a time as any. I can manage my monthly commitments for the next few months.

Screw it, let's do it.

With the decision made, I put my plan to action.

#1 Give plenty of notice
It's extremely important to let your boss know of your plans, way before he decides to include you in his. I gave mine a two months notice but I felt it was still less. It's a good thing to emphasis that the reason you're going on a sabbatical is you and not the company you work for. Thankfully for me, my boss understood. :)

#2 Revisit your finances
Many companies in India, do not have a sabbatical policy unless you are extremely high up on the food chain. Most of the time, you will not be paid for your 'off time'. Understand how much would you need and then deal with it.

#3 Time-off means time-off
Day one of my sabbatical, I got dressed for office only to realise that there is no office anymore. Then it hit me. And it hurt. Yikes! But hey, you made the decision. Stick with it.

Once I was mentally committed to taking my-time off, I put together a list of the things I really want to do, and why. Resolving things that need resolving, travelling, pursuing another education degree, cultivating a new hobby, giving more time to myself, are a few items on that list.

It's been seven days since I 'worked' officially, and I am loving every minute of my sabbatical.

Looking forward to the next 83 days of living life!