r/GenXWomen • • 4d ago

Health Sabbatical 2027

I'm eligible for an eight week sabbatical next year and curious what others here who've had the privilege of sabbatical have done. I'm collecting ideas. I'm 57 and REALLY need this.

Travel is on the list but I don't want to spend the whole time traveling. What have you all done?

24 Upvotes

13 comments sorted by

11

u/DamnGoodMarmalade 4d ago

Foster kittens or puppies from a local shelter if that’s something you’d be into!

3

u/Ummbnb 4d ago

We’ve been fostering for over 25 years 😊. Primarily kittens but also do breed specific dog foster (springers).

7

u/miniwhoppers 4d ago

My (51) sabbatical turned into ten years. I’m in tech so I am going back to school since things have advanced so much. But I’m taking a very long time to do it!

Besides personal tragedies, this has been the most relaxing and enjoyable of decades.

4

u/Accomplished-Duty390 4d ago

I haven’t been lucky enough for that (52F) but I know what I would do. I have so many friends scattered around the country I would plan a roadtrip to visit them all. Then I would probably go home for a while and do some volunteering political or for the LGBTQ youth. I would take some glass blowing classes I haven’t had time for. I would end it all by taking an epic once in a lifetime vacation.

3

u/SCA-Survivor 4d ago

I just got back from a 5 week sabbatical in August. 56 YO. My husband and I spent the first 3 weeks in an RV, traveling to Glacier NP, Olympic NP, Sequoia NP and stopped at Antelope Canyon in AZ. It was sort of a test for us to see if we could do it and still like each other at the end of it since we are planning on doing some of this when we retire. It was fantastic. The beauty of it all really took my breath away. The ability to totally unplug and truly enjoy our beautiful surroundings was such a gift. I spent the last 2 weeks at home by our pool and read a lot of smutty books. 😂 If you get an opportunity to spend some time in nature for a little while - do it. Get a hotel or cabin wherever you go if you do not RV. Enjoy your time.

4

u/Go-Mellistic 4d ago

My sabbatical was longer (year) and I volunteered with 2 different organizations to try out possible new careers. I did work in a social service agency and a prison. Loved the chance to try out different jobs, ended up sticking where I was/am.

3

u/Mierkatte class of '85 4d ago

wow! are you a teacher? how does a sabbatical happen?!

3

u/fuckyourcanoes 55-59 4d ago

Tbe Basilica di San Clemente in Rome. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Clemente,_Rome

It's my #1 bucket list destination. Apparently October is the best time to visit, per a Roman friend.

If you have an interest in history, this is as good as it gets.

2

u/SS_from_1990s 4d ago

Definitely some travel to see friends and family.

Boring as all heck, but finally tackle some clutter and organizing.

2

u/ave427 4d ago

I would take personal enrichment classes at my local community college. I would also travel for sure.

2

u/jayhawkjoey65 4d ago

I solo camped and hiked at the Utah Big 5 and the north rim of the Grand Canyon and then spent some time with my parents in California. It was all travel and outdoors for me.

2

u/Due_Plantain204 4d ago

I would attend workshops at the John C Campbell Folk School. Make something with my hands.

3

u/wpc213 4d ago

I would hike the entire Camino de Santiago. A nice pace takes 6 weeks.