Plan and Prepare for a Sabbatical With This Detailed Guide

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By: Kimberly Hayes / Guest Entry

Planning a sabbatical can be an exciting time, especially if you’ve been feeling stressed or even burnt out at work; in fact, taking an extended period of time off can actually help to improve your professional life, allowing you to recharge and gain some perspective. Whether you want to take time off to relax, focus on philanthropic efforts, travel, or just figure some things out, it’s crucial to plan well to ensure that everything from your finances to your pets are taken care of during the process. When you’re ready to start the planning process, keep these tips from Jasmine’s Tea in mind:

Think about your sabbatical goals

Coming up with a few goals for your sabbatical will help you figure out a timeline as well as the best places to go if you want to travel, so think about what you need most right now. Do you want to focus on resting and practicing self-care, or are you ready to work up a plan for starting a business of your own while you have some free time? Thinking about what makes the most sense for the moment will give you a blueprint for your time off and will allow you to keep stress or anxiety at bay throughout.

Choose the right time to go

Taking a sabbatical for any reason must be thoroughly planned out if you want to prevent any issues, and this includes making sure your finances, health, and family situation are in good shape beforehand. Many people save for years to be able to take an extended break from work, while others raise the money through crowdfunding or taking on a temporary gig. Once you have the financial end worked out, you can choose the perfect dates for your sabbatical. However, even after you’ve spoken to a supervisor and requested the time off, it’s still a good idea to go over the details with them before your last day to ensure there are no snags that could come back to haunt you later.

Prepare your home and utilize self-storage

Depending on how long you’ll be gone, you might also need to consider the best plan for your home while you’re away. Only planning to leave for a matter of weeks? Think about setting up a simple home security system to give yourself peace of mind; these days, you can find systems that connect to your smartphone and allow you to keep an eye on things no matter where you are in the world.

If you’ll be gone for months or even a year, you might want to think about earning some passive income by subletting or renting out your home or apartment. Not only is this a great way to keep a little money coming in, but it will also mean that someone is there taking care of things while you’re gone.

Create a plan for your pets

Your personal belongings aren’t the only considerations to think about; you’ll also need to create a solid plan for your pets if you’ll be gone for a while. There are several options depending on your budget and your pets’ needs, including setting them up at a kennel, hiring a pet sitter, asking a close friend or family member to take care of them, and simply bringing them along with you.

If you choose the last option, remember that you’ll need to consider your animal’s health and wellbeing during the trip and make sure they have any necessary shots or medication before you leave. You’ll also want to ensure that you invest in quality veterinarian-approved pet products. Check out online resources to find your best options.

Plan for your safety

Once everything at home is taken care of, you’ll need to create a plan for your own safety and security while you’re away. Taking an extended trip, for instance, might mean making sure you understand the ins and outs of traveling abroad, such as making your accommodations as safe as possible, carrying copies of important documents with you, and keeping valuables either at home or locked in a secure place. Traveling to certain areas might also mean you’ll need to plan for vaccinations or to bring specific items for your comfort, such as sunblock, bug spray, and a first aid kit. Think about what activities you’ll be taking part in during your time away so you can plan accordingly.

Do some research and learn from those with experience

If you’ve never taken an extended trip or leave from work before, it’s a good idea to do a little research and learn from those who have experience with taking a sabbatical. Not only can this provide valuable safety tips, but it’s also a good way to learn more about areas you’re interested in visiting. Check out travel blogs and other online resources to get some information directly from people who have been in your shoes and learn from their successes and mistakes.

Prepare for the post-sabbatical period

With all this planning, it’s important not to forget to plan for the post-sabbatical period. If you’ll be traveling for a while, you’ll need to make sure your house or apartment is ready for your arrival; if you’re going back to work, check in to let them know you’re home and are preparing to get back to your schedule. Planning to start a new career once you return? Think about how your sabbatical will affect your resume. While you might be tempted to leave that time as a blank space, it’s often better to include it.

Planning for a sabbatical takes some time, so give yourself plenty of it as you prepare all the aspects of your life, research, and pack. By utilizing resources like a secure storage unit and pet care services, you can also make sure that everything is well taken care of while you’re gone, which will give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on your sabbatical goals.

For more thoughts and tips on travel and lifestyle, visit Jasmine’s Tea today!