4 Types of Sabbatical — Which One is Right for You?

There may only be one way to have a meaningful sabbatical: forget all the rules. Except for one: a sabbatical should respond to your needs.

Nowadays, people feel more liberated to take a career break without being judged negatively. Yet, some social norms still subtly dictate the valid reasons to take one, how time should be spent or how long this period should last for. Once you decide you want to take a break, the sabbatical trap is waiting around the corner. The danger? Succumbing to the urge to meet other people’s expectations about how you should design this unique experience.

4 Myths Surrounding Sabbaticals

Some common myths shape how we think about the right way to do a sabbatical. They often cloud our judgment in our search for what we actually want to get out of our time off.

Myth 1: If You’re not Burnt Out, You Don’t Deserve It

Many people experience a sense of guilt before taking the leap and embarking on a career break. One deeply ingrained belief is that you have to be completely burnt out before taking some time out. A common fear among high-achievers and driven professionals is that pressing pause would demonstrate weakness unless they feel completely overwhelmed.