Cutting the Sabbatical Cord
“Sabbatical” can be either a short break from work or a break taken as a result of priority settings or personal difficulties. Long sabbaticals after some time do not fit into the definition of sabbatical. Endless countless years in a defined setup makes life monotonous. Chances are that a ‘sabbatical’ can also end up being boring, monotonous and unbearable after a certain number of years. So, why is it so difficult to break free from the sabbatical set up after being away from an office for many years.
To be honest, I am against tagging. For years, I have been called a full time mom. Honestly, that doesn’t mean I sit back and watch others do all the work. It means like all mothers I too am involved in the daily schedule of my children. The only difference is that I am not stepping out of my house to go to a workplace. Chances are that for my household alone, I am putting in 18 hours of work. I could be taking care of a lot of things that my spouse believes he can’t handle. It is this social tagging that I am not very fond of. There exists a failure to appreciate the unending, back-breaking hours of work to keep the home unit afloat. For women, who have done one part of their journey looking after their family, to start afresh once their children are all grown up, is equivalent to new birth — a new life. Detaching oneself from the sabbatical cord is like cutting layers and layers of twines at many levels. It opens a pandora’s box, filled with doubts, struggles and emotions. However, it is the end result that matters the most.
Doubting the self
Self-doubt is the biggest hurdle in one’s decision making. It is important to assure oneself that years of education cannot stop me from exploring newer avenues. The previous work profile can be left behind and maybe it is time to move on and explore. What is required is a little bit or a lot of research depending upon the current personal placements.
Emotions
Emotions involved are multiple. Not just personal in nature but also those of people who are going to be affected by this decision. Yes! The family is affected immensely. There comes a time when they have to accept that there lies a world beyond them. A desire to reach out for oneself is so great that breaking away becomes essential.
Reactions
Reactions may vary from person to person. Just breaking the news to the family can result in varying reactions. Reaction could be of happiness, elation, or worry. It all depends on the receiver of the news. In long duration sabbaticals, there develops increased dependence of others on the self. Breaking this is totally impossible. The answer to all these emotions is giving assurances to the members involved.
Struggles
If struggle had a face, I wonder what one would look like being surrounded by them. Struggles are a-plenty. Getting out of a sabbatical, primarily, requires research. What do you wish to be involved in? Second, setting a routine. Everyone around you has a routine, which for many years has been yours too. Where are the adjustments going to be? Are they ready? How much time can one devote? Borrow time here and there or just fix the hours (no disturbance). The answers to all these questions lie within us. Where one door closes, a window appears. Converting the available window into a door is the job of the person seeking to break away.
Courage
“Courage is Destiny”, motto should act like a guiding spirit. It takes an ounce of courage to move in the direction of your dreams, desires and goals. But that courage is not just your own, it also includes the support of your family. It takes courage on their part to give up on all the attention that you have been showering on them. They may be independent for many things but will now have to adopt and adapt themselves to the change.
Cutting the sabbatical cord is similar to cutting the umbilical cord. There is a right time to perform the procedure. However, the right time may depend largely on personal circumstances. If you’ve decided to go for it believing that it is about time, then just do it. Be like a hungry caterpillar, testing and tasting and along the way consuming and absorbing. Then revel in all that has been consumed. And when ready, spread the wings like a butterfly and fly, as they say sky’s the limit and no one but you alone can stop yourself from achieving it.
