Everyone starts a sabbatical for their own reasons, but they fall into three categories: you want to leave your previous job, or you want to find your dream job, or both. The first reason is negative: it's moving away from something (your old boss). The second is positive and optimistic: you sense there is a better future out there, but you're not sure where. It must be found, but that will take time and space. It's time to go looking.

The Trap of Over-Defining Your Sabbatical Purpose

There is immense social pressure to have a perfect answer as to 'what I will do next' after my sabbatical. We often work backwards to magic up an acceptable response to this tricky question. "Well, I want to get a job at Meta", so I'll spend three months of my sabbatical upskilling for the interview.

This all sounds good at that moment of commitment! And yet, when you're standing at a matatu stop in Nairobi, on your way to Mount Kenya, your over-defined purpose will linger in your mind. I've seen people feeling guilty for not doing the 'work' on their sabbatical. 

The point of a sabbatical is to discover, not walk a pre-planned path. This will inevitably be recognized on your travels! You will change, and you might not feel so committed to Meta. Maybe Google will float your boat! So rather than overcommitting to your purpose, hold it lightly and be open to it changing. The most exciting life is the one you can't imagine, but it just unfolds.

The Importance of Spontaneity and Empty Space

It's easy to fill up six months or a year of sabbatical with activities and not leave open those long empty afternoons of meandering the streets of Chiang Mai and letting the will of the universe play out. 

I love the analogy of music: we equally appreciate the silence between the notes as much as the notes. And it's in the silence that we can gather ourselves. So don't over-commit! There might be weeks or even months of blank space. 

One of my favourite quotes is from Amos Tversky, who said, "You waste years by not being able to waste hours." On your sabbatical, plan to waste hours!

Nurturing Health and Wellbeing

With all of your downtime and no reason to get up on any particular morning, it's very easy to lose the sense of routine needed for a healthy and nourishing life. You'll move from town to city to beach, each requiring a different routine. You'll want to appreciate the techno scene in Mumbai and sunrise in the Himalayas. Consequently, your routine will have to change.

Similarly, on your sabbatical, you'll spend a lot of time in cafes, reading How to Win Friends and Influence People and poems by Mary Oliver, and cafes always sell cake.

I've seen some not look after their well-being on their sabbatical because their nutrition goes out of the window (because of the cake), and their routines get messed up (because of the clubbing). 

Here are some practical suggestions:

• Sign up for early yoga classes

• Eat healthy (street food is often healthier than alternatives)

• Sleep early

• Drink plenty of water

Remember that sabbaticals are for nourishing the soul, which means it's also essential to nourish the body.

Embracing the Journey

A true sabbatical is not about achieving a predefined goal, but about creating space for personal transformation. 

It's an invitation to explore, to listen to your inner voice, and to allow your path to unfold naturally. By releasing expectations and staying open to possibility, you create the most fertile ground for genuine discovery and personal growth.