Why I took 5 weeks off… and you should too.
I haven’t shared this publicly before, but I took 5 weeks off in December & January. I also took 3 weeks off when Covid hit in 2020.
But these were NOT vacations.
I intentionally took these times as “sabbaticals” from my business. And the results were so powerful I’m considering doing it once per year.
Here are just a few of the benefits I experienced:
🦋 A complete RESET in body, mind & soul
🦋 Having time to do the things I had been longing to do but never made the time for (projects around the house, working out, spending time with friends, listening to programs, or just resting & reflecting)
🦋 Crystal clarity about my next steps in life & business
Both times, I literally “birthed” my next stage in business. In my most recent sabbatical, I also birthed a whole new version of me. I’m more relaxed and in flow than ever before. I have so much energy & inspiration it is practically pouring out of me!
It’s been nearly 6 months, and I’m still flying high.
I can already hear the responses: “That’s great for you, but I can’t afford to take that kind of time off. I have a busy life, a job/business, and a family that needs me.”
I totally get that.
But there are ways that you can experience similar benefits WITHOUT having to stop everything.
Consider taking a mini-sabbatical. Maybe a week, or even a long weekend. Plan ahead so you can take the time off just for you. If you absolutely can’t make that happen, then book in a day or evening every 2-4 weeks for your own “personal reset.”
Here are some ground-rules that have helped me make the most of my sabbaticals:
#1 – This time is just for YOU. Get support with the kids. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb. For the love of God, don’t reply to emails! You should be basically unreachable during this time, unless it’s an emergency.
#2 – Change your environment. This isn’t a must – but it definitely helps! Consider renting a hotel room or Airbnb for a few days. Or go camping. Or house-sit for a friend while they are traveling. A change in your surroundings can be huge in helping to create a shift in perspective.
#3 – Do what you’re longing for. Get in nature. Move your body. Stay in bed and read for 12 hours. Whatever feels like it would nurture you and help you truly unwind.
#4 – Don’t do anything that feels like a “should.” If it feels FUN to organize your house, great! But the moment it starts feeling like a chore, STOP. (I don’t care if your cabinet is half-organized… Put. The. Dishes. Down. And. Go. Do. Something. Fun.)
#5 – Do NOT try to figure anything out. Believe it or not, this isn’t the time for thinking or planning. The more you let go of your day-to-day life and habitual ways of thinking and GET PRESENT, the more energy & clarity you will have on the other side.
By the way… stuff may come up when you do this. Emotions. Thoughts spinning a million miles an hour. Awareness of things you didn’t even realize were there.
This is a GOOD THING. Though it may not feel like it.
All of this is coming up to clear. It’s been in you this whole time, but you’ve been too busy / tired / distracted to notice.
Breathe through it. Journal. Scream into a pillow if you need to.
Acknowledge yourself for taking this time for you. However messy and imperfect it may be.
I’m cheering for you!
xoxo,
Makena
