Help me plan my sabbatical!

[Lady_Disdain]

After 2 very bad years, a terrible career change (which ended with my boss calling me an "incompetent twit who would come to a bad end if I didn''t shape up", in front of my peers and immediate subordinates) and a few bad personnal problems, I have decided to take a sabbatical. I quit my job yesterday, with no plans to return to the work force for around 12 months.

The only problem is that I don''t have anything planned! Or perhaps that is the good side. I am not sure.

I know the next few weeks are going to be tough. I have been working nearly nonstop for the last 7 years and I felt very strange to wake up on a Wednesday and not have anything to do - kind of lost and useless. My parents will not support this - they feel a person should be working and this is for good-for-nothings who don''t want to face the music. My boyfriend will have a fit when he realises I plan on going abroad for many, many months.

But I want you guys to help me plan my time! So far, I have listed the following:

1- get my life in order (do medical visits, solve banking problems, renew my driver''s license, etc) for the next 2 weeks
2- Travel! I have dreamed of going to Vietnam for around 3 years, so I think I will go to SE Asia for a month or so
3- Spend 2 weeks at Penlands, doing one of the metal programs
4 - Volunteer internationally, focusing on Africa or Asia

Any other ideas?

Also, could anyone recommend reputable organizations for volunteering?

Thanks!

 

[oddoneout]

Wow good for you for taking time for you. I think your plans sound great so far. Maybe add in something that is relaxing that you can help you unwind.

 

[Haven]

Good for you, Lady Disdain! It sounds like you need this in order to feel human again, I hope your year brings you much joy!

It sounds like you have a lot of things planned. I''d definitely recommend volunteering.

As for the little things, I think it''s important to really savor your time off, so avoid things that drain you. For me, those things are watching television and sleeping in very late. So, since I quit my teaching job last summer I only watch TV for very specific shows that I love, and I have a time that I never sleep past in the morning. (Though it *is* nice to sleep a bit later than I used to sleep!)

Is there any skill you''ve always wanted to learn? A language? Pottery? Now is the time to take those classes!

Maybe you could do some goal setting, this is one of my favorite goals sites, and that could help shape the way you spend your year off, as well.

Enjoy yourself!

Oooh--since you like travel, check and see if your local library has this book, it completely changed the way I view travel and working.

 

[rierie26]

Date: 3/3/2010 7:36:05 AM
Author:Lady_Disdain
After 2 very bad years, a terrible career change (which ended with my boss calling me an ''incompetent twit who would come to a bad end if I didn''t shape up'', in front of my peers and immediate subordinates) and a few bad personnal problems, I have decided to take a sabbatical. I quit my job yesterday, with no plans to return to the work force for around 12 months.

The only problem is that I don''t have anything planned! Or perhaps that is the good side. I am not sure.

I know the next few weeks are going to be tough. I have been working nearly nonstop for the last 7 years and I felt very strange to wake up on a Wednesday and not have anything to do - kind of lost and useless. My parents will not support this - they feel a person should be working and this is for good-for-nothings who don''t want to face the music. My boyfriend will have a fit when he realises I plan on going abroad for many, many months.

But I want you guys to help me plan my time! So far, I have listed the following:

1- get my life in order (do medical visits, solve banking problems, renew my driver''s license, etc) for the next 2 weeks
2- Travel! I have dreamed of going to Vietnam for around 3 years, so I think I will go to SE Asia for a month or so
3- Spend 2 weeks at Penlands, doing one of the metal programs
4 - Volunteer internationally, focusing on Africa or Asia

Any other ideas?

Also, could anyone recommend reputable organizations for volunteering?

Thanks!

I say travel. If you have the money and resources to do so, when else will you have the time to take off for extended periods of time?

+1 for volunteering too. It''s for a good cause and you can put it on your resume.

 

[PumpkinPie]

no suggestions right now - but I''m sorry your boss called you incompetent and a twit and in front of others.. wow - incredibly rude!

 

[4ever]

Good for you!

Is there anything else you would like to achive other then traveling that you just havn''t gotten around to? Learning a language, a craft, making a family tree, writing a book, building something? Because now is the time to do it. A year is a lot of hours to fill, having things you want to achive, like making a painting for you living room that people think is by a profesional or learning sugar craft or japanese, will keep you productive in your free time and give you a sence of achivment and fulfillment that you loose by sitting round, watching TV and reading all day.

 

[whitby_2773]

hi lady_disdain

i''m so pleased you''re taking some time off - it sounds like you really need it. it definitely sounds like you''ve *earned* it!

i dont know what sort of physical shape you''re in, but you could also work ''revamp body'' into your plans. that''s like the reward you give yourself and it''s great to come away with something that will enhance your life going forward.

re volunteering - can i suggest volunteering at the humane society or your local dog rescue group? those dogs need visits, affection and walks, and you''ll never get more grateful recipients.

if you and your partner decide you don''t want to be apart for many months, but you still want to do something worthwhile, how about the mentoring program? there''s so many great ways you can spend a year that will be personally beneficial to you and a huge blessing to those whose lives you touch, i say go for it!

best wishes for great choices