Working with No Days Off… How to Still Reap the Benefits of a Sabbatical
Take time out to breathe, recharge and come back at it later
A weekly sabbatical in the traditional sense of the word has power. They allow us to take one day to practice the acts of rest, refueling and practicing both contentment and gratitude.
Right now I’m working seven days a week. I don’t take a lot of days off and when I do, it’s usually running around trying to get things caught up. It’s crucial during those days to allow myself to let go of expecations and move at a slower pace.
I know exactly why I gave up my day off and I know that I won’t let it get further than the next 2.5 years. I gave up my one day sabbatical to take on a part time weekend to pay off both the car and consumer debt. Everything seems to be a trade off. We trade what we want now for what will benefit us long term.
In light of knowing that not everyone has a full day they can take off for a traditional Sabbatical, here are some alternatives:
Take an hour in the morning to practice the art of slow living
Allow yourself to sleep in (even if just for an extra hour). Take your time preparing and practicing mindful eating. Spend a little extra time on your morning routine. Read what inspires you, write what thrills you.
Make the must do activities fun
Make chores into a game by seeing what you can do within 30 minutes. Recruit your best friend to go shopping with you for the groceries. You’ll have more fun and be able to relax more. When it comes to work, see what makes you enjoy your day. Is it using humor? Having a routine that you go through that makes the process easier? Taking breaks with a favorite coworker?
Block out more time throughout the week to rest and recharge
For example, if you know that you only have a few hours on a Sunday off, make the same amount of time on a Saturday. While you do still need to work on both days (or whatever the reason is that you can’t take a full day), doubling up on the time can help you to arrive on Monday with a refreshed mindset.
Remind Yourself that this Season Won’t Last Forever
Each season brings its own set of challenges and joys. Just because something is the way that it is right now doesn’t mean it’s going to be that way forever. Modify your schedule for now, but realize that one day you will have a complete day to recharge.
Conclusion
Even if taking a full day off to rejuvinate is not currently possible, find ways to insert that peace and joy into your week or take a two day approach and spread the hours between two days.
