Reclaim Your Well-Being & Purpose: The Transformative Power of a Sabbatical
Somewhere along the way, my life sped up. It got so fast, so tough, so overwhelming, that I stopped asking myself the simplest question: How am I really doing?Slowing down isn’t the solution—it’s the first step. Stillness reveals what we’ve been pushing through, ignoring, or numbing. Only then can we begin the renewal process—whether that means deep rest, reconnecting with ourselves, or making intentional shifts in how we live and work.
For years, I thought I could outwork exhaustion. I had been raised to believe that if you were on time, you were late. If you weren’t pushing yourself to the limit, you weren’t doing enough. That mindset carried me through school, into my career, and eventually into more than a decade in the tech industry—where I was constantly juggling back-to-back deadlines, global meetings at odd hours, and the pressure to always be available. I convinced myself that a weekend getaway or an extra hour of sleep would be enough to recharge. It never was.
Then came the moment I didn’t see coming—an organizational restructuring and elimination of my role. Suddenly, I had a choice: immediately throw myself into the stress of job hunting or do something I had never done before—pause. I chose the latter. I took a sabbatical.
At the time, it felt risky. Looking back, it reshaped how I view and experience work, rest, and what really matters.
Why Slowing Down Is the First Step to Renewal
Burnout doesn’t just mean feeling tired—it impacts everything from mental clarity to physical health. But the reality is, many of us don’t even realize how exhausted we are until we pause.
Research shows that chronic stress affects every system in the body. The World Health Organization has classified burnout as an occupational phenomenon, linking it to long-term physical and mental health consequences. But here’s the thing: you can’t renew what you don’t acknowledge.
Stepping away—even briefly—gives you a clearer picture of your true state:
Emotional well-being – Are you feeling disconnected? Overwhelmed? Like you’re running on autopilot?
Physical health – Are you constantly fatigued? Struggling with sleep? Experiencing more aches, tension, or headaches than usual?
Mental clarity – Are you sharp and engaged, or foggy and unfocused?
Once you understand where you truly are, you can start making the shifts that will actually recalibrate you.
What I Got Right (and What I Got Wrong)
I’ll be honest—I didn’t do everything “right” on my sabbatical. I booked flights with no real plan, overfilled my schedule in some places, and spent too much time in my head in others. But it was still one of the most renewing experiences of my life.
During my time away, I traveled to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Joshua Tree, and more. I spent time in nature, practiced yoga, reconnected with my body, and finally allowed myself to just be.
But what I didn’t plan for was guilt. The feeling that I should be ‘doing’ more never fully left me, even as I tried to embrace the pause.
I thought stepping away from work would feel freeing, but instead, I often felt like I wasn’t doing enough. There was a voice in my head constantly whispering:
💭 Am I wasting time?
💭 Am I falling behind?
💭 Should I be more productive?
💭 What will people think when they see a gap on my resume?
Even when I was surrounded by stunning landscapes and finally getting the deep rest I needed, I found myself feeling uneasy about not being “useful.” That’s when I realized how deeply ingrained hustle culture was in me.
I wasn’t just taking a break from work—I was unlearning years of conditioning that told me my worth was tied to my productivity.
Over time, I learned to sit with that discomfort and ask myself better questions:
What if my value isn’t tied to my output?
What if slowing down is actually the key to doing my best work?
What if I return to work with greater clarity, purpose, and energy than I’ve ever had before?
Letting go of guilt wasn’t immediate, but it was one of the most important lessons of my sabbatical.
What the Research Says (and What I Actually Felt)
We often wait until we’re completely burned out before we consider stepping away—but science (and my own body) made it clear: stress doesn’t just pass through us. It stays, it builds, and eventually, it demands to be acknowledged.
Research shows that prolonged exposure to stress hormones like cortisol is linked to:
Cognitive Decline – Chronic stress weakens the prefrontal cortex, affecting memory, focus, and decision-making. A Neurology study found that individuals with higher cortisol levels performed worse on cognitive tests, linking stress to early brain aging.
Increased Inflammation – Stress triggers inflammation, contributing to heart disease, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. NIH research shows that chronic stress elevates inflammatory markers, increasing long-term health risks.
Chronic Fatigue – Work-related stress leaves professionals drained. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), 79% of workers report experiencing job-related stress, with fatigue being one of the most common symptoms.
A sabbatical isn’t just time off—it can be a reset for your body, your mind, and your pace. Studies show that extended breaks help regulate the nervous system, reduce cortisol levels, and enhance mental clarity. Those who take sabbaticals often report greater job satisfaction, creativity, and productivity upon returning.
During my time away, I experienced firsthand how small, intentional habits made a difference. Headspace helped me incorporate mindfulness and breathwork, while The Five Minute Journal became a grounding practice to track my thoughts and perspective shifts.
A sabbatical isn’t about abandoning responsibilities—it’s about reclaiming your well-being, energy, and clarity so you can move forward with intention.
How a Sabbatical Helped Me Renew My Health and Purpose
During my sabbatical, I reconnected with the habits that once made me feel my best—habits I had abandoned in the pursuit of productivity. I also picked up new rituals and daily practices that helped me feel more grounded, supported, and present. I prioritized sleep, nourished my body with wholesome food, and spent time in nature. My stress levels decreased significantly. Most importantly, I rediscovered what truly mattered to me beyond deadlines and deliverables.
When I finally felt ready to explore new professional opportunities, I came back not just rested but clear on my boundaries and values. I didn’t want to rush into just any job—I wanted true alignment with my purpose.
Why More People Should Consider an Unplugged Sabbatical
If you’re feeling depleted, running on autopilot, or disconnected from yourself, you’re not alone. Burnout has become a global epidemic, especially among high-achieving professionals. Taking a sabbatical may feel radical—but what’s truly radical is pushing yourself to the point of breakdown.
A sabbatical isn’t about abandoning your responsibilities; it’s about reclaiming your energy and making intentional choices for your present and future.
Closing Reflection
When my career took an unexpected plot twist, my pause became about more than just work. I had a choice: continue the cycle or take a step back and rethink how I wanted to move forward. I chose to pause. That decision—to prioritize rest, reflection, and renewal—refreshed how I relate to work, success, and well-being. That’s why I believe so strongly in the power of stepping away—and why I created Solaris Global Pathways.
If this feels familiar, you’re not alone. A sabbatical won’t magically solve everything, but it creates the space to reimagine what truly matters.
Your well-being deeply matters. And if you’ve been powering through, maybe now is a good time to gently step back—and remember what feeling good actually feels like.
✨ Coming soon: The Unplugged Sabbatical Blueprint—a thoughtful guide to creating the kind of pause that supports your nervous system, honors your needs, and helps you re-engage life with intention.