I’ll never forget the year my ambition almost cost me everything. I was chasing deadlines, booking last-minute flights, and calling it “hustle.” My calendar was full, but my spirit felt empty. Then, a friend handed me a dog-eared book about sabbaticals. I scoffed. A break? In this economy? But DJ DiDonna’s story stopped me cold. Here was a wildly successful founder who had everything, until he realized he had nothing that truly mattered.
His wake-up call came during his father’s birthday barbecue. A work call pulled him away, sending him on a plane while his family celebrated without him. He writes about that moment with raw honesty in his new book, “Big Time Off.” He knew his personal life was in shambles. That guilt propelled him onto a different path—a five-month pause that changed everything. He walked across Japan. He remodeled a kitchen with his dad. He learned how to simply be again. This wasn’t a vacation. It was a recalibration.
DiDonna’s journey led him to establish The Sabbatical Project. He now researches these extended breaks at Harvard. He defines a true sabbatical as three to six months off. It’s a chance to explore forgotten passions and reconnect with people you love. “These activities might not seem directly related to productivity,” he told me. “But they are profoundly human.” They help us answer the biggest question: Are we living a fulfilling life?
I know what you’re thinking. That sounds like a luxury for the elite. DiDonna gets that. He had financial privilege. But his research found teachers, nonprofit workers, and parents making it happen. They saved for years. They planned with their families. One person simply took every fifth summer off with their kids. The key is making it a decade-long priority, not an impulsive splurge. Start small. Talk to your employer. Make a financial plan like you would for retirement.
- Explore forgotten passions
- Reconnect with loved ones
- Make it a decade-long priority
- Plan with your family
- Set a financial plan
- Start small
The professional benefits can be astonishing. DiDonna shares the story of NPR’s Aarti Shahani. She used a sabbatical to write a memoir about her father’s deportation. The painful process was cathartic. It also inspired her to start a nonprofit helping immigrant families. Her break didn’t just recharge her; it rerouted her entire career toward deeper purpose.
Another woman, Renuka Sastri, felt stuck after decades in digital strategy. After a pilgrimage with her daughter, she took time off. She took pottery classes and volunteered in her community. That space helped her see a new path. She now works as a public servant in local government. Her sabbatical didn’t hurt her career. It gave her a better one.
This isn’t about running from your job. It’s about running toward your life. A planned pause can dissolve burnout and spark unexpected creativity. It lets you listen to the quiet voice you’ve been drowning out with noise. DiDonna ends his book with a gentle nudge. He writes, “The time of your life awaits.” Maybe it’s time we all started planning for it. What would you do with your big time off?
| Benefits of a Sabbatical | Examples |
|---|---|
| Reconnect with passions | Learning new skills |
| Reduce burnout | Taking a break from work |
| Boost creativity | Engaging in hobbies |
| Personal growth | Volunteering |
| Career shifts | Exploring new paths |
| Improved relationships | Spending time with loved ones |
