Sabbatical Serendipity: Two Months of Discovery

When I first started my sabbatical, I was worried that I would get bored after a few days, after all "organized chaos" is my comfort zone. But to my surprise, I found myself in this unique mindset of being energized by the chirping of birds in the morning, the colors of the sky, the taste of freshly cooked meals every day, and spending time relaxing with my family. It has turned out to be a blessing.

Month 1

The first month of my sabbatical was especially productive because I was in such a relaxed mindset. None the less "the organized chaos" side of me, had led me to create N number of plans and here are my top five takeaways from that experience in first month:

1. Importance of time management

During this first month, I divided my day into three categories: (a) investing time in my health; involves spending time achieving good health through nourishment, which meant home-cooked meals and exercise. (b) relationships with family and friends; involves taking more time out of my day to do activities and connect with friends and family on calls. (c) polishing my relationship with myself; involves mental nourishment i.e. intake of valuable information from reading books and listening to podcasts/audio books - on topics around entrepreneurship, maintaining a side hustle, mythology, ayurveda and women-centric topics to name a few. This balanced segregation of activities rather than a schedule for daily routine has allowed me to relax without pressure to do something specific at a certain time.

2. Detachment is an underrated skill

I have always taken my work seriously, and taking ownership of any task came naturally to me. However, since COVID-19, we have worked from home, and the demarcation between work and personal life has blurred further. To use our 24 hours efficiently, we have to stop thinking about work once we shut the laptop. This means detaching from work and focusing on personal tasks. I have been working on multiple activities, and my mind is constantly occupied. This means that I get ideas for personal projects even when I'm off the clock. To tackle this issue, I started taking a note of every idea I have and then keeping it aside until I started working on my project again. This helps me to be present in the moment and avoid overthinking. This is my first modest step towards detachment. I have in no way been able to apply it to all parts of my life but its a start.

3. Just Do It (to be inspired by Nike)

I have always feared being judged or embarrassed on a public platform. Whenever I would hear the playback of the workshops I had conducted as a consultant, I would judge the tone of my voice, my accent, the pauses I took, or the way I handled questions. One good thing that came out of all the judging is that I got better with time. However, the downside is that I never felt confident enough. My goal for this year is to become comfortable in front of the camera and listen to my own voice. No matter how many people like or appreciate the outcome, I will do it anyway.

4. People-pleasing is a real problem

I have a need to be liked, especially by people who mean the most to me. I consider this a problem when I put others' happiness before my own every time. But I'm working on a solution that's been working well for me - writing down what I'm feeling, why I'm feeling that way, and what was the trigger. I read all that I have written down so that I can empathize with myself and chalk out a solution myself. This has helped me process my emotions, respond to people in a more thoughtful way, and focus on my own happiness.

5. Focusing on my happiness

This sabbatical is all about doing things that intrigue me and make me happy. I'm embracing being selfish, as it's the purpose of this sabbatical. And while I'm enjoying this time, I'm also creating a framework that will help me to continue living this way and being a happier and healthier person, even when I'm back on the job.

Month 2

After taking the learning from the first month and applying it in my daily life, I decided to stop being so hard on myself and take a small trip. This month of my sabbatical has been amazing! I had the opportunity to visit Delhi and Agra and explore some historical monuments. I love museums and historical places, so this trip was a dream come true for me. I got to see Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, and of course, the Taj Mahal!

It was fascinating to see how architecture had evolved over the years. From carving patterns on red stone to using blue tiles and finally to inlay work on white marble, it was a real treat for my eyes. And let's not forget about the delicious food - I got to catch up with some friends over some great meals. All in all, a creatively stimulating visit to Delhi.

As, I started feeling more relaxed and decided to focus on spending time with myself rather than towards specific goals alone, a fear started creeping in about not having a job and when I should start looking for one. I've learned that I derive power from the work I do, the money I make, and the small wins I have during the workweeks. I had to start talking to myself positively during this time. The second month was all about grit and self-confidence. I had to remind myself of my abilities even when taking time off, and that the decade's worth of work experience I have will always remain with me. Reminding myself of my achievements and looking back on recommendations I received from my peers, colleagues, and clients really helped me during this time. So as you see, its still a work in progress.

These past two months have been a blessing nonetheless. I knew I would feel an urge to work again as I have worked since I was 18 years old. I am grateful to my family for their constant support during this time off. I am most grateful to my husband who is looking at my sabbatical as a great time to travel and enjoy the small things in life. He keeps me grounded and happy on the days that I feel anxious.

That's all the update I have for now. I hope you enjoyed this update. I'll be back soon with more news about my sabbatical!