In my 20s I set out to be an academic, not the least reason being the lure of a sabbatical: The prospect of spending every seventh year abroad while keeping my job was heavenly. Apart from those of us working in the teaching profession, or for enlightened organizations, most people don't get the summer off, or the chance to spend serious time away from their jobs without losing their place in the corporate queue. Don't despair. You can jump off the treadmill and set things up to duplicate some of the stimulating benefits of six months in the south of France or a year in a Tuscan villa. (Well, almost.)
Take some time for yourself
Need an extra incentive? Consider that taking the time to recharge our mental batteries and expand our horizons is good for us – even if we can't pull up stakes to live in Singapore. As Elizabeth Church, a professor and psychologist in Halifax, says, "Taking a sabbatical is a chance to refocus your energy and unclutter your life."
Even though you're tied to your job and family duties, the goal of an at-home sabbatical is to reflect about the way you live and see your world. It's not like taking a trip to Florida or spending a day at the spa – rather, it involves changing your routine and replacing habits with some of the experiences you'd have during a year abroad, where you might be exposed to new acquaintances, languages, foods, landscapes and schedules. The best part? "With willpower some of the significant changes you make during your hometown sabbatical will be maintained over the long haul," says Terri Giosia, a life coach in Montreal. Here's our 12-step program to set you on course.
"Women in particular find it hard to let go and say no," says Giosia. You may have to pep-talk yourself into it and grant yourself permission to take your at-home sabbatical. To truly detach, you'll have to be strong-willed and disciplined – and don't let other people's agendas weaken your resolve.
2. Serve notice
Decide on the length of your "leave" and set a departure date, just as if you were really off for a year in India. "Let your friends and relatives know your intention of taking an at-home sabbatical and why it's important to you," says Giosia. Maybe you'll have to temporarily resign from a committee, opt out of a carpool for a time or put aside your volunteer efforts every week. Be mindful that you're not copping out – you're investing in yourself. Tell friends you're going to be out and about more and will be responding to nonessential home e-mails and telephone messages less frequently.
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