18 Comments
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Rick Foerster's avatar

After coming out of a life-changing one (unexpectedly), I strongly believe sabbaticals should become normalized in a long career arc.

There are many ways to work, and the more we embrace the diversity of experiences, the better off we’ll all be.

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

Agree! They are the best, totally life-changing and better for everyone.

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Ethan's avatar

Is so unfortunate that gap time and extended breaks aren’t more normalized here in the US. So many European countries allow workers to take weeks to months of time off with no problem! I’ve been inspired to do a similar type of break and have already starting saving to have one hopefully sometime next year :)

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

Yes I totally agree, I so wish it was normalized! Yay, I'm so glad you're getting to do that!

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annie yu's avatar

I took an adult gap year by living in Spain and wound up staying 😂💃🏻 it is stressful not being able to find work for awhile but thankfully I’m doing freelance work part time.

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

Ohh yes! Congrats, that sounds wonderful!

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Emily Woodward's avatar

This was so reassuring, validating, and inspiring as someone in my early 30s in the middle of an unintentional career break. Really cool to hear how these intermittent breaks have allowed you to build a more meaningful creative life over time 🥹

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

Oh yay! I’m so glad! Enjoy it, such an incredible and unique time!! ❤️

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Swati Teerdhala's avatar

As a published author with a 10+ year tech career, this really resonated with me. I've strongly been considering a sabbatical for awhile, one just for me and for the person I am now. Thanks for writing this!.

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

Oh wow, that's awesome! And yes, I can't recommend it enough :) Thanks for reading! x

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Elizabeth Case's avatar

I met a French cyclist in 2015 who was on his fourth bike tour around the world — he would work for ~4 years at a time to save up, at a software company I think, then take two years off to bike. He would occasionally stop and give a talk at one of the company’s offices, and at the end of the tour, the company would just rehire him

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

Woah! That’s a dream situation :)

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Vinamrata Singal's avatar

As someone on an adult gap year/sabbatical (soon shaping to be a career pivot), this really hits home!!! Thanks for sharing, and excited for your book to come out :)

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

Thanks so much!! I also work in product, and shifted into writing on the side. Excited to read about your pivot!

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Nikki Summer's avatar

You know I'm a solid believer in the adult gap year(s) :)

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Tess O’Brien's avatar

Ah this is such a relief to read - thank you for the reassurance.

I am two months in. Just wrote about my experience. Meandering (ever so gently) through the transition from corporate to creative writing 😂

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Liam Wiesenberger's avatar

I have a question! I agree with everything here and am planning my gap year from tech. My biggest hang-up is health insurance. Do you purchase a marketplace plan when you take your months off? What do your friends do?

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Emily J. Smith's avatar

Thank you and congrats! Yep, marketplace plans. They’re not as good in that you may have longer wait times and higher deductibles but it was worth it (for me)!

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