Three things I did on my one-month sabbatical

Objective: dirty hands.

I recently had the privilege of going on a month-long sabbatical, courtesy of One Further . With 5 weeks at my disposal to do anything I wanted but work, I seized the opportunity to explore, create, and relax. My main objective, as I was telling friends and family members, was to get my hands dirty.?

I consider myself a creative person who enjoys drawing, painting, knitting, and embroidering. However, I wanted to do something with my hands other than typing on a laptop.

Something New: Ceramics

I took a one-week course at a ceramics studio near me (Ceramics Classes London in Hammersmith). I discovered the joy of having dirty hands: hand building, throwing, and using moulds. I was incredibly lucky to be the only person on a one-week course, so I tagged along to a few classes but also had the privilege of having teachers to myself, almost like a private course for most of the week.

I made many things that I will get soon as they are awaiting the final firing after I went back to glaze them last week. I experimented with shapes and colours and ended up making a weird-looking pomegranate vase amongst other things. I have no idea where to put it yet though...

Something Needed: Family & Me-Time ?

I took the opportunity of my break to go on holiday with my husband and son to the South of France. We enjoyed good food, great weather, the beach, and somehow the Tour de France as it ended in Nice while we were there.

I was also conscious of not overdoing it and taking a break, especially as I have been nurturing my bump, being 5 months pregnant and requiring some sleep and chill. I even went to the cinema on my own, treated myself to a full day of me-time, and enjoyed it thoroughly.

Something Challenging: Baking & Cooking Classes?

I love baking at home, but I also wanted to follow a teacher and bake something I had not made before. I took 2 baking classes at BREAD AHEAD in Borough Market. The first one was a one-day French baking course, which I highly recommend: we made some brioche, bread (pain de campagne), croissants and madeleines. To this day I had always had trouble with puff pastry and although I am no expert now, I do feel I’ve improved (and my ego got a boost when I was told mine were the prettiest). I also must say breakfast tasted especially delicious for a few days - but fear not, I gave away most of everything I brought home to ensure it would be eaten at its maximum freshness. I seem popular in the neighbourhood now.?

The second one was a doughnut workshop to learn how to bake their famous delicacies (they sell 7,000 of these on a regular Saturday). Again, I was very popular when heading home, and pleased with myself as I had always been nervous about frying.?

Finally, my very last day was spent at the French cooking school Le Cordon Bleu in Fleet Street, where we made a meal (starter and main), with each dish composed of too many words and looking complicated. I only burned my fingers once and definitely learnt lots of things… But wow that was intense. So many elements that we had to have eyes on everything and work quickly. I ended up accidentally putting breadcrumbs in my parmesan sablé (but it was not bad).?

Returning to work now, I find myself refreshed and ready for new challenges. With 4 months before my maternity leave, I am eager to see how our clients are progressing with their digital user experience. This sabbatical has not only recharged me but also broadened my horizons, making me more prepared for the adventures ahead.