Planning a Meaningful Sabbatical: 6 Things Every Woman Should Consider

Article Summary

• A sabbatical is a great time for professional women to take a career break and explore other interests. 
• Planning for a sabbatical takes some thought and strategy, and many women find they feel more confident with their financial options if they work with an experienced financial advisor. 
• Many times a relationship with a financial advisor may be helpful before a sabbatical and after, particularly if the sabbatical is used for pre-retirement exploration.
  

Planning A Meaningful Sabbatical: 6 Things Every Woman Should Consider

Work-life balance is having its moment in the professional realm and one way to know is by the growing support for sabbaticals. According to industry data, the number of employers offering sabbaticals to their employees has about doubled since before the pandemic.

Select employers are even offering financial support for these extended career breaks in an effort to ensure that employees avoid experiencing burnout. Sabbaticals can vary in length, running as short as four weeks to as long as a year. Those that run longer than a few weeks are sometimes referred to as a radical sabbatical. If a woman chooses to take a sabbatical on her own, making time for self exploration and reflection, the length of that extended break is entirely up to the individual.

If a sabbatical is something you are considering, be it through an employer or on your own, there are a few things to consider before setting off. Thoughtful planning may help you get the most out of your recess from daily professional responsibilities.

Things To Consider When Taking A Radical Sabbatical

Few people set out on excursions without making a plan. A sabbatical is no different. Here are a few things to think about.

Define your expectations. The first step in the planning process for a sabbatical is understanding what you hope to get from it. Some people use the time as an appetizer to retirement, to better understand what path might be next for them. Others use it to spend time with family and friends, travel to new places or try new adventures. The term radical sabbatical is often used by those hoping to heal from corporate burnout and reset their priorities. By understanding your goals for the sabbatical, you can plan more appropriately for it.

Align your goals. Once you have established your expectations, set a few goals. The goals may be linked to the duration of time spent in any one location, or the variety of places you would like to visit. Either way, those goals are dependent on each other.

Make a financial plan. With goals and expectations squared away, it is easier for a financial picture to come into focus. The cost of a sabbatical, even if it is paid for by an employer, can vary. Many women feel more confident pursuing a sabbatical after reviewing their finances so they understand the standing of each of their assets, from savings to cash flow to retirement accounts. Sabbaticals are designed for a certain level of disconnect, and most people do not want financial issues to interfere.

Prepare for immersion. Once the details are settled, take some time to consider how you will document this journey. Not everyone gets a sabbatical over the course of their professional lives. This is a time to journal, take photos, scrapbook, capture video and generally immerse yourself in this extended break from work. Before leaving, check to see if you need to purchase blank journals or upgrade your camera to snap the photos you are hoping to capture.

Keep learning. Sabbaticals are generally encouraged to prevent burnout, but they also offer a solid chunk of time to explore something new. Take up an instrument, enroll in a class, discover a new hobby or find a way to give back with time you have never been able to give before. If this is a pre-retirement journey, it may be helpful to frame this break from your career as an exploratory period for your next chapter in life.

Connect with an advisor. Many women feel more confident embarking on a sabbatical when they seek guidance from an expert financial advisor The planning involved with preparing for the financial investment of a sabbatical is one aspect that some women value, while others may find value in establishing a relationship that could support choices they make after a sabbatical.

The female-vetted financial advisors who we work with at Svvy® are happy to help either way. As a service that was founded by women for women, Svvy® matches women with financial advisors who understand the challenges females face and the goals many women have. Taking time off work and planning a career break is not something everyone does, which is why some women find it is valuable to work with an advisor who understands the importance of sabbatical planning.

At Svvy®, we are here to support women who are looking for expert financial guidance from female-vetter advisors. To get started, explore our financial advisor matching quiz. If you have a sabbatical on the horizon, and you are in search of professional financial guidance, get matched with a Svvy® expert today.

Disclosure: This content is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute individualized investment, legal, or tax advice. Svvy® acts solely as a solicitor and connects and matches individuals with independent third-party financial professionals through a quiz-based matching process on the Svvy® Network. Matching is based on information provided through Svvy’s platform and does not constitute any advice. Any advice, recommendations, and services are provided only by the independent professional you choose to engage.