When we think of gap years, we think about recent college or high school graduates taking a break before more education or entering the workforce. We also conjure images of backpacking around Europe and staying in hostels. What has been considered a rite of passage is believed to prepare young adults for life in “the real world.” But gap years look much different today.
Gap years are no longer reserved for the young. More adults are finding creative ways to take a break later in life and in the middle of their careers.
A Burnout Epidemic
We’ve been talking about burnout since before the pandemic, but although awareness may have increased, well-being among workers has not. The 2024 Global Talent Trends report by Mercer reveals that more than eight out of 10 employees are at risk of burnout this year. Some of the most common struggles revealed in the survey are:
- 43% are worried about financial strain,
- 40% are exhausted, and
- 37% struggle with an excessive workload.
Taking a break from your job can certainly be helpful for your mental health, as you have an opportunity to cleanse any toxicity you may be experiencing in your life. Refresh. Reboot. Take in new experiences. It is all part of every adult’s dream, but how do you realistically achieve that blank slate?
Break from Routine
Since travel is usually a component of an adult gap year, there needs to be some financial viability. You need to have a cushion if you are planning to quit your job. Not everyone can do that, which is why there are also gap months where you may simply try something new.
I worked with a coaching client who was feeling burnt out in her job and at the same time, became interested in yoga. She ended up taking a mini sabbatical and traveled to Bali and studied yoga. The trip was life changing because she confirmed that teaching yoga was a good fit and so she got certified. She ended up going back to her regular job refreshed and renewed, and she now teaches yoga a few times a week to help balance her high-stress position.
Positive Perks for Morale
More companies are offering sabbaticals, or paid extended breaks from work, so it is possible to take a break and keep your job. It’s nothing new – McDonalds introduced the first well-known paid sabbatical program in the corporate world in 1977. But since then, many companies have recognized the benefits of offering time off for long-time employees. From Adobe to Bank of America to Clif Bar to General Mills to PayPal to Instacart to Nike, the benefits vary greatly.
For instance, at New Belgium Brewing, employees receive a branded fat-tire cruiser bike – a tradition since 1999 and nod to the brewery’s flagship beer – at their first anniversary. They get a one-week trip to Belgium if they make it to five years, a $1000 travel voucher to celebrate year 15 and a four-week paid sabbatical at years 10, 20, and 30.
Patagonia employees can take two months off to participate in their Environmental Internship Program which allows workers to volunteer for their favorite environmental group while receiving regular work benefits. Even if you do not work for Patagonia, you can use your free time to fulfill your own purpose and do something to benefit those causes most important to you!
I knew people working for MorningStar twenty years ago who were receiving sabbaticals after ten years of service. Many years ago, I worked for an organization that allowed me to accrue vacation time so that I was able to take six weeks off work. I went to the South Pacific and met my husband!
The Sabbatical Project is an organization that “works toward a world where extended leave is the norm, not the exception” according to its website. It says offering breaks is a low-cost way for employers to address employee exhaustion.
Cost Crunch
If you do not happen to work for a company that offers sabbaticals, one of the common obstacles to taking an extended break from work is the cost. Here is where creativity comes in.
House sitting could be an option, and there are numerous sites such as HomeExchange, People Like Us, and Holiday Swap to connect you with others looking to switch locations.
There’s also Workaway, which is a platform that connects travelers with accommodations and meals in exchange for work at hostels, hotels, farms, etc. Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) links visitors with organic farmers for an educational and cultural exchange as you learn ecological farming practices.
Do the research and create a budget. It may sound expensive to travel overseas, but until you crunch the numbers you will not know if it is doable for you.
Research should also include looking into temporary visas, so you know the rules of the destinations you are considering. Most countries offer American travelers visa-free entry or visas upon arrival that will be valid for three to six months, depending on the destination.
Make Time for Career Coaching
Each person will have their own reasons for a career break, and a gap period could be especially helpful if you are changing or considering changing careers. You can use this time to further your education with certificate programs or go through training for a new career. Whether you have been laid off or are planning to make a career move in the future, taking some time in between jobs could provide the necessary break to clearly find your next path.
Career coaching can be part of that gap period. I get a lot of coaching clients who are using their time off to engage in coaching to prepare for the next step in their life. They want to find the career that really excites them, and I can think of no better way than career coaching to put this free time to effective use!