Pressing Pause: How My Personal Sabbatical Redefined Success & Purpose
In November 2023, I decided that I needed to take a step back from nonprofit work. This decision emerged from a sense of being overworked and a depletion of my spiritual, emotional, and physical energies.
The notion of stepping away from my professional responsibilities was very daunting for me. I questioned, “how will I ever explain a several-month gap on my resume??” – this thought initially filled me with such deep apprehension.
But why?
And the intensity of this concern only underscored the necessity of the break. It prompted me to reflect deeply on why such apprehensions had such a hold over me.
If I had the means, why should I not take this time for myself?
To Structure or Not To Structure
The decision to take a sabbatical came swiftly, leaving little time for detailed planning.
After announcing my sabbatical on LinkedIn, I was struck by the number of colleagues who had similarly prioritized their mental health through extended breaks! Very few had ever mentioned this to me. And their feedback varied significantly; some advocated for a completely unstructured break driven by spontaneity, while others suggested meticulously detailed plans.
Defining Success on My Terms
I chose a hybrid approach. Success, for me, meant achieving specific personal goals. I thought deeply about what those should be … and came up with:
Fully embracing the holiday spirit by engaging in long-cherished activities like perfecting my salsa recipe and baking an abundance of Christmas cookies.
Cherishing moments with my yellow lab, Sandy, during what we anticipated might be her last holiday season due to her year-long battle with lymphoma. We enjoyed much-needed Christmas naps and frequent 'pup cup' excursions.
Evaluating potential future roles within the nonprofit sector that could bring me joy, using deep reflections on my past professional experiences (get the outline on how do run through your reflection here).
Dedicating time to spiritual reflection, deepening my existing practice of daily meditation and exploring its integration with my professional endeavors in nonprofit work and philanthropy.
Living in the present and not be overwhelmed by the urgency or anxiety of what comes next.
Deep Insights and Revelations
This period of introspection led me to question how I define my worth outside the parameters of professional productivity – which is a pretty heavy question and likely a lifelong one. While I may not have fully resolved it, I certainly made huge leaps towards clearer insights!
This questioning led me to reflect and explore the themes of:
Awakened leadership and creating #nonprofit spaces that foster healing rather than harm.
The urgency paradigm and embracing imperfection.
The expansive potential of imagination.
Despite stepping back, I remained active in certain areas, balancing personal rejuvenation with professional engagement. This included writing articles, managing a select few projects that meld marketing and fundraising, and exploring the future of nonprofits through collaborative projects with close friends.
And I was picky with what I chose to spend time on. Some would say this is not a full sabbatical but it is the type of living I wanted to do. It ended up bringing me joy and, in full truth, I could not sit completely still (😅). That’s not my style. IYKYK
A Profound Gift to Myself
This personal sabbatical allowed me deep thinking, deep feeling, and deep laughter.
It was a time rich with personal contemplation and profound realizations, including the resilience of people when systems falter and the importance of moving past what no longer serves us. This journey highlighted the pivotal role of intra-connectedness and the significance of addressing disconnection, which lies at the heart of many social change challenges.
Embracing this period was a true gift to myself—one that I entered with trepidation but exited with invaluable insights and a renewed sense of purpose.
A few things I am left thinking about at the end of this time include:
When systems fail, people rise.
The best way forward is letting behind things that no longer serve you.
Disconnection, at all levels, is the heart of our problems.
Related is the concept of intra-connectedness and how it answers so many questions.
Thinking about your own sabbatical? Here are a few tips:
Get clear on what structure best fits what you need.
the Sabbatical Project is a great resource!
Set a few outcomes to measure success. They could be doing a few puzzles with family or reading 5 books. Give thought to what a restorative period for you looks like.
That said, give yourself a few weeks of being completely off/uncommitted to anything. That's important and will only enhance the sabbatical magic.
________________________
Michelle Flores Vryn, CFRE is a nonprofit leader, fundraiser and consultant. She is recognized as an engaging speaker, teacher and writer on how to accelerate nonprofit impact through sustainable growth. You can reach out to her for speaking engagements and trainings.
Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn and routinely check out her [re]generative nonprofit blog for more insights on the social sector.
