When considering their next course of action, white-collarworkers experiencing burnout or discontent in their jobs could embrace the idea of taking a gap year. Short-term leaves of absence taken by employees, known as “mini sabbaticals,” are comparable to the customary gap year that young adults occasionally take following high school.
They can provide a space for one to consider their professional goals and even look into new prospects. Employees can create appropriate boundaries between their personal and professional lives by taking breaks. Professionals can travel, volunteer, or indulge in hobbies during this time to further their personal development.
Mini sabbaticals give employees a much-needed break from the corporate rat race, giving them an opportunity to decompress and refuel. This leave of absence enables rest, renewal, and enhanced mental health.
Furthermore, some workers are reinventing the concept of a gap year by choosing to continue working while working remotely gives them the chance to live and travel as a digital nomad. The freedom of not being tethered to an office comes with the unique work experience that comes with living the digital nomad lifestyle. Professionals can operate remotely and travel freely thanks to it.
Reasons for taking a gap year by white-collar workers
Due to the pandemic forcing people to reassess their life, the Great Resignation marked a sea change for the American workforce. This requires reflecting on your ideal self, the kind of work or career that fulfils you, your sense of purpose and meaning in life, and whether you have appropriate boundaries between work and life.
Life is more than just working until you feel exhausted. We should make the most of our time here on Earth because it is finite. It is no longer acceptable to work for a micromanaging boss, commute three hours a day, receive unfair compensation, and endure toxic treatment.
Taking a gap year gives people the chance to reflect on their professions, refocus their goals, and return to work with fresh enthusiasm and determination. According to data from the human resources management system isolved, 56% of employees said they experienced burnout last year, which makes this particularly crucial.
Burnout frequently manifests as a lack of drive, cynicism or a detachment from one’s work, physical, emotional, and cerebral tiredness, and decreased productivity. Other indicators could be headaches or persistent pain, feeling overburdened, depressed, or unsatisfied at work, or developing anxiety or depression linked to your employment. Other symptoms of burnout include forgetfulness, trouble focusing, and a decline in professional pride.
A brief sabbatical also provides time for personal growth, including recharging intellectually, acquiring new talents, and continuing education. Choosing to take a year off work might boost motivation, creativity, and job satisfaction when you go back to work.
Things to think about
The following actions should be taken into consideration before determining whether a mini sabbatical is appropriate for your present employment and financial situation:
- To make sure you would have a job to return to, check with human resources at your current workplace to see if they would approve of this temporary absence.
- Do you have enough money saved up to take a long leave of absence from work if you have to quit?
- If not, you might think about accepting a contract, gig, or temporary work in order to have a consistent source of income.
When the time comes for you to rejoin the workforce, hiring employers might be interested in knowing about the short employment gap caused by your mini-sabbatical. To come back stronger, you will need to make a strong case for why you had to take the year off and how it allowed you to refocus and get new insight into your career and personal life.
To end with
As more professionals recognize the benefits of stepping away temporarily, embracing such opportunities could become a vital strategy for maintaining mental health and career satisfaction. Thoughtful preparation, including financial planning and clear communication with employers, is crucial for a successful sabbatical. Ultimately, taking time off can lead to a more fulfilling and balanced approach to both work and life.
(Tashia Bernardus)