Sabbatical Reflections: Month 3 - Sabbatical In Reflection

Three months ago, I left my role as an embedded software engineer at Sparx Engineering to take a sabbatical. I said it would be a minimum of 3 months, and here we are. As I continue my job hunt, I want to share an honest reflection for anyone contemplating a similar transition.

Would I do it again?

Yes, absolutely. Despite the challenges and costs, the clarity and growth have been worth it.

What would I do differently?

I'd set clearer expectations upfront about what "success" looks like. I was worried about the sabbatical going to waste or misusing the opportunity, which created unnecessary pressure.

What alternatives could have worked?

Two options that would have given me the mental reset I needed without the full financial commitment:

6 weeks of unpaid vacation - It took about 6 weeks to fully recalibrate and rest

Finding a new job with a 4-6 week delayed start date

What did I learn?

There are many ways to be a leader. I also learned about my optimal learning environments and gained frameworks for better decision-making. A quote from a close adviser sticks with me: "That doesn't sound like a sabbatical. It sounds like a full-time job."

What did I gain?

Professional: Clearer positioning for my future career, improved job search approach, passed the FE Mechanical Engineering exam, enhanced writing and systems thinking skills

Personal: Deep introspection, better frameworks for decision-making, time to focus on the start of my marriage, new interest in boxing, stronger internal motivation

Intellectual: Growing collection of IP through blog/Substack writings, solid progress on one book with raw material for three others, familiarity with Bitcoin and AI LLMs as tools

What did it cost?

$21,250 in lost wages over 3 months. Plus three months without day-to-day software engineering experience and mentorship opportunities.

Expectations vs. Reality

I expected to dive into MIT online courses and contribute to open source projects. Instead, I found myself drawn to writing, reading, introspection, and personal development. I bought dozens of technical books but read less than 10. It turns out that heavy technical material wasn't what my brain needed during this transition period.

What's next?

Continuing the job hunt while finishing my Leverage Maps book, maintaining my reading and exercise routines, and ongoing learning. The sabbatical mindset of growth continues, but now with a clear focus on re-entering the workforce.

If you're considering a career transition, a sabbatical can provide invaluable clarity and growth. But 6 weeks might give you 80% of the benefit if a full sabbatical isn't feasible.

What's your experience with career transitions? I'd love to hear from others who've navigated similar crossroads.