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Life rarely goes as planned. Sometimes, it doesn’t just gently shift our direction—it tosses us into the unknown without a map. Maybe it’s a layoff, burnout, or a life event that brought your career to a halt. Whatever the reason, you may suddenly find yourself in what feels like an “unplanned pause.” When I received my breast cancer diagnosis, I had actually been thinking of taking a couple of days off to rest because I felt extremely fatigued. I attributed the fatigue to post-COVID effects, work projects, and all that comes from being a mother and wife. I never thought that the fatigue might be due to my body fighting off an invasive disease.
At Sabbaticalize, we call this a "sabbatical in disguise." And we believe it can be one of the most powerful chapters in your personal and professional journey—if you’re willing to reframe it.
What if this is a gift in hiding?
The unexpected sabbatical invites you to ask:
Who am I without my title?
What rhythms restore me?
What have I learned about the work I want—and don’t want—to do?
What parts of myself have I silenced in the name of survival?
These aren’t easy questions. But they are transformational.
During my doctoral research, I learned about Jack Mezirow’s theory on transformation. Transformation is the process of fundamental change in an individual’s beliefs, values, and perspectives and are often triggered by challenging experiences or critical self-reflection. Transformation is not easy. It’s not easy because in order to transform we need to confront the deeply held beliefs and assumptions we have held since we were children. To truly transform is to reevaluate our understanding of ourselves and the world and this can be a scary and difficult experience.
To help you in your transformation journey during your sabbatical, consider the following:
🔄 Reframing the Experience
An unexpected sabbatical is not time lost—it’s time reclaimed. It’s a sacred pause to:
Grieve what was and imagine what could be
Rediscover your core values and how they shape your next chapter
Rebuild with intention instead of rushing to “what’s next”
Center your well-being as you redesign your work life
🧭 A Gentle Starting Place
Not sure where to begin? Start here:
Create space for rest and reflection—even if only 30 minutes a day. I began to practice sleeping meditations every night.
Journal your thoughts, emotions, and patterns emerging in this transition. I also used this as an excuse to buy my favorite journals and pens (Hello, MUJI notebooks and Uni Ball pens!)
Connect with others who’ve taken sabbaticals or navigated career pivots. One of my mentors told me my sabbatical was going to be the best thing to happen to me. I didn’t believe her at the time, but in retrospect, it really was a gift.
Explore coaching, workshops, or guided practices that support renewal. I became familiar with Eventbrite, YouTube tutorials, TikTok, Harvard Business Review posts on LinkedIn, and Instagramers who were into leadership and self-care and renewal.
Design your sabbatical—even if it wasn’t your choice, you can shape it. Attend one of Sabbaticalize’s workshops to design your sabbatical or look up resources online.
🌱 You’re Not Alone
At Sabbaticalize, we’re building a community of educators and professionals who are learning to pause with purpose. Whether you’re here by choice or by circumstance, this season can lead you to something more aligned, authentic, and whole.
So here’s your reminder:You don’t need to rush your comeback. This sabbatical may be exactly what your spirit needed even if it does not feel like it right now.
