After the COVID-19 pandemic, I guess we can all agree that our lives have been turned upside down in so many ways and levels. For me, my life felt like it was running on full throttle, in a slightly different way. I spent my days juggling between my full-time work, part-time gigs on Upwork, writing for this blog, and squeezing a few workouts as often as I can.
On top of that, I caught myself running around chasing other people's validation until I learned they can chew you out even after you’ve given your all with sincerity and passion. One day, I finally got the courage to take a pause.
In my culture, there’s no such thing as a sabbatical. Sure, there might be an unofficial break for those who lost a job and couldn’t find one. But as a 30-year-old Filipina who supports her family back home, taking a sabbatical break sounds selfish—like I’m escaping my responsibilities. But it shouldn’t have to be!
After going through one, I want to share how I handled my sabbatical, the reflections and lessons that came with it, and the preparations I made to endure the journey.
Are you ready?
What "Sabbatical Break"? Sabbatical Leave VS. Career Break?
Working for three masters (full-time, part-time, and blogging) at the same time was challenging, to say the least. Yes, I was happy I was earning more, especially from my long-time Upwork client.
Eventually, I finally hit my limit. Day after day, I wished I could make a fresh start and just breathe. So, I did.
Instead of applying for a sabbatical leave, I stubbornly decided to leave my role completely. I wrapped up a project with my Upwork client and told him I was going on a trip—indefinitely.
My original plan? Rest for 2–3 months. A solo trip to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, hiking endlessly, visiting the Philippines, catching up on my K-dramas, then coming back fresh and ready to find a job aligned with my goals. Sounds like a plan, right?
💡Want to read my travel stories? Check these posts!
Where My Sabbatical Break Took Me: Travel Highlights
Even though I had to cut it short, my sabbatical still gave me a memorable trip in Kazakhstan. The spontaneous rendezvous with a group of Kazakh & Tatar hikers in Shymbulak? Priceless and unforgettable!
And finally seeing Charyn Canyon National Park with my own eyes? Surreal!
In Kyrgyzstan, I didn't cram in activities like I used to. I slowed down and soaked up the sweet summer days. My only highlights: a revenge hike to Komsomolets Peak and a trip to Son Kul Lake.
The rest of the days were for simple joys—ice cream, macarons, chats with a friend, and relaxing at the banyas. It couldn’t have been more perfect.
And just when I thought that would be my only adventure during this break—surprise! The Universe had other plans. Who would've thought an unemployed Filipina on sabbatical could swing a trip to Russia? Absolutely not me!
Not just Moscow, but also Saint Petersburg and Murmansk! I didn’t catch the Northern Lights thanks to rain, but boy—I made it to the Arctic Circle!
How? By finally dipping into my untouched Upwork income from January 2024. It covered the whole Russia trip!
👉 Curious how I fund my travels? Read here: How I Fund My Travel: An Ordinary Employee's Travel Fund
Last one for the books—I returned to Kyrgyzstan to welcome winter, completing my mission to visit in every season: spring 2022, autumn 2022, summer 2024, and winter 2024. Just wow!
Sabbatical Break Realities: Time Off, Career Gap, and Funds
Here’s the truth, Sabbatical Time is an illusion. It's as short or as long as you want them to be. It's endless when you’re unsure of what you want to do, or a blink of an eye when you’re a high-functioning person with a long list of goals—like me.
Naively, I thought three months was enough. I wanted to do everything—including a full blog overhaul. I even considered walking the Camino de Santiago—but just held back. Because when else would I have this much time, right?
Even with a web developer on board, the work was limitless. Turning this blog into a professional one was my lifelong dream. But despite all the effort poured into it, there was still so much to do. Plus, it's just a team of two.
Before I knew it, three months became five… six… seven. While juggling writing, studying Russian, upskilling by taking a TEFL course, and figuring out where to go next, the financial pressure crept in—especially while living in Dubai. The growing gap in my resume also began to weigh heavily on my mind. How do I explain it in future interviews?
Still, I held on. This break tested my discipline and values. I continued showing up for what I committed to (not on sports though!), and cared for my well-being in budget-friendly ways—hello, Careem bike!
To stay afloat, I took on a few short-term gigs. Some days I worked remotely like a digital nomad; other days I went from office to office trying to find clarity. With time, the role I truly wanted started to take shape.
Expectations & Realities: What I Learned During My Sabbatical Break and What I’d Tell You if You’re Considering One
After 10 long months, I’m finally—and fortunately—back in the workforce. During my most exhausted days, I’d catch myself reminiscing about my sabbatical like it was the best time of my life. But after some mindful reflection, I realized: not everything went according to plan, and that’s okay.
So if you’re considering taking a break, here are a few lessons and preparation tips from someone who has been there, wrestled with uncertainty, and survived the financial storm:
1. Taking a Sabbatical is NOT selfish
Just like an arrow must be pulled backward to launch forward, stepping back is sometimes necessary. Even cars have a reverse gear—because life isn’t always about moving fast or straight ahead.
I used to think I had to justify this decision. But looking back, taking a sabbatical wasn’t selfish at all. It was empowering. It was a leap of faith rooted in the belief that I could take charge of how I live and work. Challenging your own status quo might feel scary, but if your gut says it's time—jump.
2. Preparation is KEY
We're talking about serious preparation here.
As a Filipina who financially supports her family 100%, my responsibility (and a bit of pressure) didn’t go away just because I wasn’t earning. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t take a break—it just meant I had to plan better.
I took two months to decide and six months to prepare. That meant thousands of tiny decisions every day to make sure I could afford this without going into debt. I set a monthly budget of AED 3,000* for myself for six months—excluding my family support, a 2-week Central Asia trip, a 2-week Russia trip, and visa-related costs.
Was it tight? Yes.
Was it worth it? Absolutely.
✧Note: This budget was based on my personal lifestyle and choices. Yours might be lower or higher, so adjust according to your needs, responsibilities, and goals.
3. Burnout is REAL (Even When You’re “Not Working”)
Whether you’re unemployed, in between jobs, or living your best digital nomad life, burnout still happens.
People assume time off is pure relaxation. But a sabbatical often means confronting your passion, goals, and finances all at once. Burnout isn’t just about deadlines and quotas—it’s also about uncertainty, pressure to “figure it out,” and the emotional toll of rejection.
So be kind to yourself and to others on a break. Don’t expect people to be available just because they’re “free.” Time off doesn’t mean they’re not going through something.
4. Figuring Out Your Career Path (and Going Back)
Here’s a surprise:
Did I figure out what I want? Yes.
Is it different from what I used to do? Not really.
Sometimes, we think we need to make a huge pivot. But what I realized was that I actually liked what I was doing—I’d just been looking at it the wrong way. The problem wasn’t my career path. It was my perspective.
So don’t pressure yourself to become someone totally new after a sabbatical. You’re allowed to return to the same role or industry, just with a renewed mindset.
And about reentering the workforce? Most recruiters I spoke with didn’t press on when I mentioned that I left for personal reasons. Just—don’t badmouth your previous company. That’s always a red flag, break or no break!
5. Expect the Unexpected.
It sounds like a no-brainer, but it's one of the most important things to remember.
When you're on a sabbatical break, the usual life hiccups hit harder. Travel plans fall apart. Funds run low. Interviews don’t go as hoped. Questionable job offers show up. You get sick with no medical insurance. Visa issues? Yep, those too!
These things happen. But when you're on a break and emotionally hanging by a thread, they feel more intense, magnified even. And when they do, don’t trade your worth for an easier way out.
Choose yourself. Even when life feels on pause, you are still valuable.
The Break’s Over—Now What?
While my sabbatical has officially ended, as a human being, my thoughts, dreams, and sense of purpose continue to evolve. The truth is, I didn’t come out of it with all the answers — and that’s okay. Life would be painfully dull if everything were laid out in front of us anyway, wouldn’t it?
So… now what?
Well, I’m picking up where I left off — with more clarity, a little more grit, and a stronger sense of self. I’m showing up again for bigger family responsibilities, celebrating friends’ milestones I don’t want to miss, chasing hiking goals and training for it, and choosing to live with less fear about having it all figured out.
Oh, and this blog? Still very much a work in progress. I’ll probably always be chasing deadlines, ideas, and new upgrades here. Do I need another sabbatical just to finish it? Maybe not. But do I dream of building a small, scrappy team behind it someday? Absolutely.
Alright, that's a wrap! See you in my next life update… erm, blog post? 😉
