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 :)
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.
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 🥹
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!.
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
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 :)
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?
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)!
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.
Agree! They are the best, totally life-changing and better for everyone.
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 :)
Yes I totally agree, I so wish it was normalized! Yay, I'm so glad you're getting to do that!
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.
Ohh yes! Congrats, that sounds wonderful!
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 🥹
Oh yay! I’m so glad! Enjoy it, such an incredible and unique time!! ❤️
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!.
Oh wow, that's awesome! And yes, I can't recommend it enough :) Thanks for reading! x
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
Woah! That’s a dream situation :)
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 :)
Thanks so much!! I also work in product, and shifted into writing on the side. Excited to read about your pivot!
You know I'm a solid believer in the adult gap year(s) :)
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 😂
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?
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)!