Sabbatical ideas
“Taking a sabbatical. What should I do with it?”
23 answers from 23 people · Updated Nov 2, 2026
Depending on how adventurous you are, I really recommend spending the $20 to buy a membership to Mind My House. This is a website that connects travelers to people looking for someone to house-sit for their pet while they travel. I took a year off from work from 2018-2019 to do some traveling, and this was really helpful for me to find free places to stay when I wasn't camping, as well as time to test-drive if I wanted to live in certain places. I house-sat three times for about seven weeks in total, and it was quite helpful!
201
I completed a Vipassana retreat in 2017 and it truly changed my life. I was a complete beginner and this was fairly intense but it was worth it. It’s completely free and they have centers spread out throughout the United States and all over the world.
give yourself a writers retreat
find cabin in the woods read cookbooks to see what sparks the soul go to local farmer market remember you can do headstands and dance whenever you want stand in the rain lots of coffee drinking for fun find some water to jump in low light evenings read odd books let nature impose the joy of living Time to plan one for the spa'dettes <3
14
Game changing
I’m taking a break from click clack life and working at a chicken spot/wine spot in Chicago (if you’re nearby, come visit!!!). I feel so energized by work, interacting in person and providing a fantastic dining experience! Plus everyone is so excited to be there and eat and drink and be happy, no greater feeling.
259
Quinta Camarena Boutique Hotel + Yoga Retreat (Portugal)
took my first solo international trip here for the "not so serious" yoga retreat. HIGHLY recommend, vera + cam were amazing hosts, the food and wine were top notch, and you can't beat the slow living of alentejo.
Wild Rice Retreat is one of those rare places that understands that great hospitality isn’t about adding more amenities, it’s about creating a setting where the landscape, architecture, food, and rituals all work together to make you feel different than when you arrived. If you’re interested in what makes a place truly memorable, it’s an inspiring example of how thoughtful design and a deep connection to the South Shore can become the experience itself.
2
Teaching a free class on something you love
On a whim, I decided to try and host a class at the local lesbian bar about one of my favorite grandma hobbies (scoring a baseball game) and it was so fun and my heart felt so full. Why not host something for your community? Why not feel better than you have in ages?
472
Take a trip - bring a notebook
When I left my career after 7 years I felt the same way you were. I ended up taking a trip by myself to somewhere no one knew me. Then wrote in my notebook about what I loved, why I left, and what I needed the rest of my life to look like. It really helped me close that chapter of my life by basically writing a new one. One of my friends and I call this “going to Costa Rica”
10
Heard an interview on NPR about this book on sabbaticals which isn’t exactly the same but maybe some good tips for time management.
191
If you love to read and want to be in the company of women for a weekend in a gorgeous house in the Catskills/Hudson Valley, book a retreat with All Booked. Suzanne leads incredible conversations and often gets the author of the featured book to join in on the talk.
2
after six years of working remotely (my entire career? annoyingly?) I got a part-time job working at a pie shop for a few hours on Sundays. I get to give pie to smiling children! I have regulars! I get free pie! I am reminded that having a real job with real people is pretty great! (burnt out remote workers.... do this)
643
I write to you from the car where I am on a road trip that my partner designed themed around Tree Superlatives. We are seeing the biggest (sequoia), oldest (bristlecone pine), and tallest (redwood) trees in the world. We are also seeing the lowest point (Death Valley), biggest birds (California condors), and highest point (Mount Whitney, from afar) in the United States.
41
My odd formula included solo traveling with an enormous amount of walking to regulate and process (and help me sleep), to this I added as much time around animals (pet sit!) as I could because taking care of a creature made me take care of myself too. Then remember to notice when you’re doing ok, even when you just laugh briefly—you are so resilient. You’ve walked so far.
23
(Responsibly) Leaving Civilization Behind to Catch Up On Yourself
I go on retreat to the woods a couple of times a year. I bring a notebook, a pile of books, my favorite snacks, and occasionally my cat. I walk, think, read, build fires, and smell trees. It's incredibly good for the soul. When I'm in the woods, I get a break from being a professor, a parent, and even a partner. I just get to be alone with myself and experience myself as a person.
203
A solo trip, no social media allowed
Doesn’t have to be far, doesn’t have to be long, but it has to be alone. Spend some time with the sounds of the natural world and remember what your inner voice feels like when it stops running circles for other people. Dropping the weight of other people’s opinions, reactions, questions, choices will give you a much needed break. Ideally, you have a swim, bath, or shower before you reenter the world and interact with people again.
223
Schedule things that nourish your body every week
When I took a burnout sabbatical I scheduled out weekly acupuncture, monthly massage, and twice-a-week gym sessions. I also looked around for yoga classes and occasionally went to those with friends. I needed to recalibrate my system to taking care of itself. Having things on my weekly planner helped the part of me that needed to-do’s.
11
Certifications are like grown up Girl Scout badges. Many are cheap, and most are great conversation starters at parties. Marriage Officiant? Exotic animal handler? Ham radio operator? (My personal favorite is linked)
8
Taking a long break from working is incredible! I no longer carry capitalism guilt for not being “productive.” Don’t take 2 weeks, take 2 years. 10/10 human experience
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