Burned Out? Consider Taking an Adult Gap Year
Picture this: you’ve landed your dream job, you’ve already achieved some major milestones, and you’re earmarked for long-term success, which will positively impact your quality of life, health, family obligations and retirement.
Sounds perfect, right?
But somewhere along the way, though, you may realise that this isn’t the career for you.
Whether it’s a result of burnout or losing passion for what you love, you’ve come to a crossroads where you don’t know what direction in your career you should take. Staying is one option, leaving is another – but if you leave, where do you go?
That’s where taking a gap year comes in!
What Is a Gap Year?
A gap year is when one takes one year off to travel, work or volunteer. Typically, this takes place after leaving high school and before entering college. This allows one to experience new cultures and new customs, and to gain life experiences that contribute to one’s personal and professional growth.
In recent years, it’s not only teenagers and young adults who benefit from taking a gap year: more and more adults are taking extended breaks from their working lives to explore new ventures.
Is a Gap Year the Same as a Sabbatical?
Sabbaticals are very similar to gap years, in that you are relieved from your working responsibilities either for a few months or a year to learn and develop new skills, as well as to psychologically and emotionally decompress. They’re often offered to employees by their employers.
However, a sabbatical implies that you return to the workplace reinvigorated, eager and ready to apply your new skills. As an adult, a gap year is an important time for self-reflection, meeting new people and exploring opportunities that were not made available to you while you were working.
Reaping the Benefits
If you’re feeling like you’re stuck in a rut, taking one year off from the hustle and bustle of the rat race is right up your alley. In doing so, you have several benefits to gain:
- Improved Health
Ever had dreams of travelling the world which you had to put on hold when you started your career? Now here’s your chance to fulfil them! Travelling and seeing the world is known to relieve stress, boost your happiness and creativity levels, and lower the risk of depression. The overall experience will leave you feeling refreshed and satisfied.
- New Perspectives
There’s fun, excitement and learning to be had when experiencing new cultures in different countries. You’re broadening your horizons, creating meaningful relationships with locals from all walks of life, and improving your communication skills. Trying out a different language, eating local cuisines and learning about a country’s history allows you to see the world in completely different ways.
- Skills Development
Learning new skills or hobbies doesn’t have to stop when you’re an adult. Studying a second language, mastering photography or a musical instrument, or taking part in a leadership course in an outdoors environment are just some of the stimulating skills you can acquire to not only keep your mind and body active, but also to enhance your CV.
- Making a Difference
Volunteering for a cause – such as at a refugee camp, a children’s literacy project or an animal-feeding scheme – provides you with a sense of purpose, as you’re able to make a positive impact on other people’s lives. It also helps you meet new friends and improves your overall self-esteem.
- Find a New Career Path
Take this time to evaluate your career, passions, needs and goals. Once you have an idea of what you want to do next and what you want to achieve, you can start exploring potential new job opportunities. For example, if you’re no longer keen on software development, perhaps teaching English to foreign students or working in wildlife conservation will appeal to you more.
Taking the Plunge
Embarking on a gap year may sound a little scary at first, but ultimately the experience will help revitalise you. You will be able to destress, try a variety of different things and consider new career opportunities – all it takes is a little bit of courage and determination to get started.
Remember, the path to long-term happiness is just a gap year away, so good luck!