"Epic Vacation Fail: Or Was it Actually a Success in Disguise?"

If I could go back in time to the beginning of my sabbatical, would I do things differently? That's a question I've been asking myself a lot these past few days as my long vacation comes to an end.

If I really had the chance to travel back in time, thanks to Doc and Morty from Back to the Future and the DeLorean, would I act any differently? It's hard to say.

My sabbatical has been an incredible and complex experience, one that's hard to sum up. As an employee at Intel, I was lucky enough to receive a sabbatical as a benefit. Every seven years, we get to double our vacation time, and with the added Israeli holidays, I was able to take a full three months off.

I had all kinds of plans for my sabbatical. I wanted to do yoga and pilates, go mountain biking, and take weekly nature walks. I also planned to completely disconnect from social media.

Looking back, some of those plans came to fruition, while others didn't. But rather than feeling angry or disappointed with myself, I feel at peace. I've learned that sometimes my plans don't work out the way I envision them, and that's okay.

During my sabbatical, I was able to figure out what felt truly right for me, rather than just trying to do things that I thought would look good to others.

I made some dreams come true, like starting a men's circle under my guidance and setting up a website and personal newsletter. Even though I'm not particularly tech-savvy when it comes to audio, I decided to face my fears and start a personal podcast. I also took on the challenge of learning new editing software, even though it was intimidating.

It was a risky move, but I'm proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone and tackling something new. It's not always easy to face our fears, but it can be incredibly rewarding.

Above all, I've focused on being the best father and husband I can be, and on being present and engaged with my loved ones.

I've learned to let go of my fears and anxieties about how I might be perceived if I'm not doing something "relaxing" like practicing yoga or going on a nature walk. I am who I am, and I've learned to love myself more, flaws and all.

Most importantly, I've learned the importance of balance in life. Between work and home, career and relationships, and my role as a father and my own needs.

As I come to the end of my sabbatical, I'm filled with self-recognition for all that I've achieved and with compassion for who I am, flaws and all.

As I prepare to return to work this coming Sunday, I can't help but feel grateful to be going back to a job and a workplace that I love.

My sabbatical experience wasn't always easy, but it taught me so much. I learned about myself, about balance, and about what truly brings me joy and fulfillment. I'm grateful for this experience.

To my colleagues, I want to say that I've missed you all and I can't wait to see you again soon. Thank you for your support during my time off. I'm looking forward to getting back to work and seeing you all again.