What is a “sabbatical”?

For the world, it could be a very risky, unconventional, or may be even an impulsive choice.

But for me, it was choosing freedom & health over money, rush and constant performance.

For most of my life, I was taught that life should never stop: study, work hard, build a career, keep achieving.

So leaving behind an identity and everything familiar felt almost impossible.

But over the last 8 months, I realised something unexpected:

There is something deeply liberating about no longer constantly needing to be responsible or impressive in the way the world demands and just living life for your own self.

Recovery has not been linear, but it has always been progressive.

Slowly, I learnt how to be kinder to myself, enjoy my own company and solitude, stop measuring my worth through productivity or a to-do list and to have genuine fun and rest with no guilt or anxiety of a Monday.

For the first time in life, I feel free.

I smile genuinely , rest without the constant fear of failure or falling behind and travel whenever I want.

I realised there is nothing more beautiful than happiness and peace that come from within, not from external validation — titles, jobs, marriages, kids, or constantly being liked and approved by everyone around you.

Somewhere in this sabbatical, I slowly started finding “my value” outside performance, just as a human, a person.

And it has started to feel exciting to think that once I am able to create a structure out of this ambiguity while living from pull rather than constant push, life may finally resolve that missing feeling:
‘Feeling of being truly fulfilled.’

🍃💕