The one reason for a Sabbatical!

I've met and asked one question to many "Sabbatical Survivors' over the past few months to gain inspiration. "What did you do during your Sabbatical?" and they have all responded the same way..."I just enjoyed myself'!"

I'm midway through month 1 in my year of 'enjoying' myself, and it's already been the best experience of my life. My eyes are open, I've met new people, I've relaxed on the to do list, I'm more observant and, in what seems to be a popular part of a Sabbatical, I took up Golf!

It took 6 months and 6 days standing on Australian soil to feel emotionally and mentally stronger, waiting out lockdown restrictions and living impatiently for the calendar to flip over to the 1st of January 2022 and begin a year immersed in my new environment and find some purpose.

I always considered sabbaticals to be taken by someone...well...old and taking a break from being a professor or something to focus on their research, travel, and writing books.

I thought I was a tad old for a 'gap year' and considering I'll take inspiration from anywhere, when I was planning my own year off I thought i'd look at the obvious, and take guidance from the original meaning;

Stick with me here - it is worth highlighting that the word 'Sabbatical' refers to the RULES of how to spend the SABBATH, as in “sabbatical laws.” - Hebrew word shabbāth, meaning “rest.”

I am not religious, but the bible does say, "a sabbath of rest unto the land" and "thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard."

...and after settling in Melbourne, with a wine rack full and some roses to prune in my backyard, I created some of my own sabbatical laws (i prefer to think of them as filters) based on 'what do i want to feel?'

So I've created a 'motto' to guide me driven by curiosity for a full year of opportunities:

(Feel) Proud.

(Get) Charged.

(be) Playful.

So what now?

Well that's the most exciting part! I don't know but it will be filtered by what makes me feel good!

Pls bare with me..I am learning as I go and hope you come along a journey with me and although you may not be able to take time off, I hope to support and contribute this year to help others feel Proud. Charged. Playful.

Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me to make this the best year of my life!

I hope you come for the ride!