DISQUS

remodelingthislife · 1 year ago

I think the biggest hurdle to doing this is what everyone else would think of it. It's seen so negatively for a person to not be at work at their desk everyday by 7 a.m. and home at 6 p.m. If you don't go to work, you're lazy. It wasn't between jobs, but over the summer I made hubby take 3 weeks unpaid off his job (how nice that he was able!) for all of our sanity. It really does make a difference. He got to relax and he went back to work refreshed. I couldn't believe the negative comments we got about it from friends and family. I think we convince ourselves that we can't possibly take time off but in reality it's a lot more doable than people think with a little planning. And who cares what others think when you're soaking up sun and drinking a beer while they're at work anyway :)

guinness416 · 1 year ago

Great post. I've no problems with job jumping, but this is one thing I've never been able to do in my professional life because of work permit/visa issues. Until now. You can be sure I'll be taking a looong break next time I move. Appreciate the mentions of "relax" and "spend time with family" .... it's very important to fight the cult of productivity every so often.

Emily, your story is quite amazing to me. If I were to take significant amount of time off work my family would congratulate me - and probably be a little jealous. The difference between US and Euro family members, perhaps!

ThickenMyWallet · 1 year ago

We have become a society of human doing and not human being. Good post.

Hunter Nuttall · 1 year ago

This comes at a good time for me, because I've decided to take a break for a few months whenever my current job happens to end. Money is really the only issue, as I don't feel the need to project an image of non-laziness. I think I was meant to be European.

bubelah · 1 year ago

Some people just don't know how to relax and what to do with themselves if they take a vacation, let alone sabatical. My dad is one of those people. My mom has to book a vacation just to force him to relax, as long as he is not at home and have no choice but rest and do nothing. Makes such a big difference in his overall health and even his physical appearance (looks much better, gains weight and looks relaxed).

Pamela · 1 year ago

I'd recommend this to anyone who has the financial backing to do it. I was "rightsized" a few years back & because of my age, level of job, etc. I received a year of salary & insurance. It was shortly after 9/11 and there was nobody but nobody hiring us recruiting management type folks.

SO, I decided that looking for a job was useless for a few months anyhow and since I was living in CA at the time I read, I gardened, I took my dogs to the beach, I went to museums, art fairs, shopped, visited family and most importantly I rested. I agree with you that rest/relaxation may take some practice in our "booked to the millisecond" life but it gives you a whole different perspective of life.

Sleeping in was the best part!

t h rive · 1 year ago

...though I would hesitate picking a 'random' city in Canada to visit, this post is great. Almost makes me want to switch jobs just for the mentioned benefits.

Almost.

t h rive · 1 year ago

p.s. - i am aware the random city was just to add to the point... ;)

Writer's Coin · 1 year ago

I fully agree and I intended to live on a lake house for at least two weeks after my old job. But I was so happy to get the job (and leave my old one) that I didn't want to "start on the wrong foot" by waiting that long (two weeks notice, then two weeks to enjoy my time). I had the money but I just didn't follow through. I chickened out and who knows when I'll get the chance to do it again.

Drew · 1 year ago

The Four Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss is almost parallel to the idea of job jumping... he calls taking a break a mini-retirement. I'm taking my post-military time off in Spain for at least a month.

Steve (Brip Blap) · 1 year ago

@Drew: True, although from reading Ferriss' website I'm not sure he actually ever takes a break in the way I envision taking a break! He seems to advocate continually "working" passively even when not working actively.

Not that his idea is bad at all - I am trying to work on passive income so I'm working-while-not-really-working - but he doesn't seem to be into full stops.

And enjoy Spain! My wife and I spent a couple of weeks there back in 2004 and we absolutely loved it. The Gold Coast was terrific, even though we were warned it was a tourist trap. Barcelona is great, too.

Jaime @ LMW · 1 year ago

This inspired me. My husband and I are both self-employed. His current contract runs out tomorrow, and while he has several leads, no sure placement yet. I was quite anxious that he find something right away so we didn't have to dip into savings. Just sent him an email and told him not to rush it.

I'm so focused on saving for retirement, I sometimes forget to enjoy our flexible, self-employed life now.

Steve (Brip Blap) · 1 year ago

@Jaime: I'm so glad it inspired you! You are completely right - remembering that life happens now, not in the future, is a big key to happiness.