Zishan, you are mostly right. You have to believe that there is a safety net. I took my first sabbatical, making $9000/yr. with $12,000/yr housing commitment....
Hey Kate - how were you able to make it work? I'm always looking for good stories that can help people of all income levels take time off. Would love to connect: dj@thesabbaticalproject.org
It often surprises me how quickly people are to dismiss ideas from reality. There are "gap" year kids that travel the country living in vans that most people wouldn't drive, shower and bogart the internet from planet fitness ($20 membership) and "live the dream". That's what is amazing about the human race. We often find the way if we are willing to make it a priority. I've found that if money is the reason (or the excuse), that's a problem. We live in an age where its never been easier to thrive!
Yes! Exactly. Sabbaticals require privilege for sure - even if you live like a total dirtbag on time off, many folks can't afford not having a salary/benefits for that time. BUT, if it's a real priority, you can start saving up for a it a decade in advance. I've interviewed teachers, nonprofit employees, and many others who eked out a sabbatical through thrifty spending and saving over many years.
Totally agree - we're going to change access by doing two things: 1. Top down - getting people in positions of privilege to take time off so that they value it, and create policies to enable folks at all socioeconomic levels to be able to do so. 2. Bottom up - sharing stories of folks of all shapes and sizes who have been able to make it work...they serve as examples (exemplars) to those around them, and change the perception of whether or not it's possible. In the meantime, there are really cool foundations that support nonprofit leader sabbaticals, including those in Detroit (McGregor) and LA (Durfee) - we need more funded policies like these!
Your comment, "Everything doesn't have to be for everyone", makes total sense. We didn't have a lot growing up, but my father made sure I understood that it was up to me to make the most of what we did have and never believe that I 'deserved anything' that I didn't earn. Looks like a great many today 'expect everything' -- not always willing to work for it, either. Sabbaticals are earned, not always gifted.
Hey Zishan - there are a LOT of barriers to taking time off in life, for sure. As I've said in one of my posts, not everyone can take a sabbatical right now; for most, it takes prioritization, the right timing, and difficult tradeoffs with spending. But the reward is worth the effort! If you'd like to connect to help figure out how you can fit a sabbatical, shoot me a note (dj@thesabbaticalproject.org.)
I really enjoyed this read. Pretty powerful insights. Thank you!
Hey - would love to talk to other sabbatical takers. I'm in the middle of mine...
join our facebook group to ask questions and meet others: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sabbaticalproject
Zishan, you are mostly right. You have to believe that there is a safety net. I took my first sabbatical, making $9000/yr. with $12,000/yr housing commitment....
Hey Kate - how were you able to make it work? I'm always looking for good stories that can help people of all income levels take time off. Would love to connect: dj@thesabbaticalproject.org
Wealthy people problem, I am afraid... sabbatical, no way possible for 99.9%...
It often surprises me how quickly people are to dismiss ideas from reality. There are "gap" year kids that travel the country living in vans that most people wouldn't drive, shower and bogart the internet from planet fitness ($20 membership) and "live the dream". That's what is amazing about the human race. We often find the way if we are willing to make it a priority. I've found that if money is the reason (or the excuse), that's a problem. We live in an age where its never been easier to thrive!
Yes! Exactly. Sabbaticals require privilege for sure - even if you live like a total dirtbag on time off, many folks can't afford not having a salary/benefits for that time. BUT, if it's a real priority, you can start saving up for a it a decade in advance. I've interviewed teachers, nonprofit employees, and many others who eked out a sabbatical through thrifty spending and saving over many years.
Wealthy people need advice too.
Everything doesn't have to be for everyone.
Though perhaps we could also work on extending the range of people capable of taking a real sabbatical?
Totally agree - we're going to change access by doing two things: 1. Top down - getting people in positions of privilege to take time off so that they value it, and create policies to enable folks at all socioeconomic levels to be able to do so. 2. Bottom up - sharing stories of folks of all shapes and sizes who have been able to make it work...they serve as examples (exemplars) to those around them, and change the perception of whether or not it's possible. In the meantime, there are really cool foundations that support nonprofit leader sabbaticals, including those in Detroit (McGregor) and LA (Durfee) - we need more funded policies like these!
Your comment, "Everything doesn't have to be for everyone", makes total sense. We didn't have a lot growing up, but my father made sure I understood that it was up to me to make the most of what we did have and never believe that I 'deserved anything' that I didn't earn. Looks like a great many today 'expect everything' -- not always willing to work for it, either. Sabbaticals are earned, not always gifted.
Hey Zishan - there are a LOT of barriers to taking time off in life, for sure. As I've said in one of my posts, not everyone can take a sabbatical right now; for most, it takes prioritization, the right timing, and difficult tradeoffs with spending. But the reward is worth the effort! If you'd like to connect to help figure out how you can fit a sabbatical, shoot me a note (dj@thesabbaticalproject.org.)