Midway through this past school year, I committed to taking the summer off and pursuing a “sabbatical.” While I searched for official guidelines or even programs, many didn’t fit my need for flexible timing (hello, mom of 2 young kids!) or my goals. So I made up my own.
I set up the boundaries: I would not teach summer school and I would look for childcare for at least half of each weekday. I wouldn’t overschedule and make plans, but would rather use this kid-free, work-free “margin time” to feel out what felt good. The idea was to give myself blank space – “margin” – and then discover life-giving ways to fill it.
The idea was to give myself blank space and then discover life-giving ways to fill it.
It felt oddly daunting to set out on this experience and my head was full of all kinds of horrible what-ifs. What if I didn’t use the time in the “right way?” What if I regretted not teaching? What if I looked back and wished I spent 100% of the time what my own children?
That said, I was committed to try something new and excited about how a sabbatical, however defined, could re-energize me in all aspects of my life: professional and otherwise.
I’m at about a month into the sabbatical now, with 15 days having been committed to an amazing multi-generational family vacation in Minnesota. Within the 3 hours of child-free time each day before we left, I found myself using sabbatical time to do a mixture of 4 categories. I outline them below!
Sabbatical Component 1: Getting things done.
I had a bunch of errands, tasks etc. that simply felt overwhelming to tackle while teaching, especially in the rush of the end of the school year. Immediately after the end of school, this meant clearing out my first grade classroom, purging outdated items from my new classroom, and moving everything up flight of stairs and I long hallway. This was a must-do for me in order to get in the mindset of summer and to set myself up well for the fall.
After that, it felt great to finally do things that I’d put off: taking my car in for repairs & maintenance, returning purchases within the return window (for once!), finally making a dentist appointment and other such errands.
It felt great to finally do things that I’d put off.
Sabbatical Component #2: Self-Care
I’m preaching to the choice here, but teaching & momming can be emotionally and physically demanding. I let myself cast a wide net on what I meant by self care: taking time to cook a hot breakfast, going for a walk in the morning sun, trying a new recipe, r taking a nap just because. No fitness plan or diet: just following what feels good for my body.
I also treated myself to a haircut and tried getting my brows tinted for the first time. Perhaps silly, but it felt great to have the time to take care of myself in those ways.
Sabbatical Component #3: Scratching “Itches”
Another thing I found myself drawn to was what I describe as scratching itches: pursuing categories that had drawn my interest, but weren’t priorities. I finally read “I’m Glad My Mother Died” by Jennette McCurdy: a book that had been recommended to me. I took a slow walk through several of the Asian grocery stores near our home, taking time to see what’s available. I did mini-research projects on scholars and historical events that provoked my curiosity.
Sabbatical Component #4: Reading and more reading
You should see your girl toggle between the Chicago Public Library App, Kindle, google, and the 2 books in her lap. I’ve been on a reading train during this sabbatical, allowing one book to lead to another book in a flow. More like several trains, since I usually have 1 personal development, 1 professional development, and one fiction book going at any given time. Reading slows down my busy brain in the very best way possible and it feels incredible to intellectually engage with my interests.
Here’s what I’ve been reading so far – I’ll write another post with takeaways from each!
- I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
- Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff
- How to Not Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz
- Unearthing Joy by Gholdy Muhammad
- The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
- Let’s Take the Long Way Home by Gail Caldwell
- A Renaissance of Our Own by Rachel E Cargle
- Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz
- All Over Creation by Ruth Ozeki
- The Great Pretender by Susannah Cahalan
Reflections on my sabbatical thus far:
- I’m really grateful for this opportunity & for the support of my partner: I am very aware that this sort of arrangement isn’t viable for everyone. I’m grateful for this privilege.
- I have to fight against feeling guilty for taking this time: for not adding to our family’s finances and for not opting to be with my own kids 100% of the time.
- Similarly, I can easily fall into the mindset of not having “achieved” enough with my time. Letting myself do whatever feels right at the moment instead of what I think I “should” do takes practice.
- I am highly enjoying feeling more engaged a) physically through moving my body more and b) intellectually through my reading.
- I’m curious to see how I’ll use this time in July when I have even more hours/day (4 child-free hours vs. 3!)
