Burnout & dreaming about extended time off. Anyone been there?

[Celia24]

Before the pandemic I was in a terrible job that wrecked my mental health. Myself & the whole team left and I'm generally happier in this job.

But for the last month I can't stop thinking about needing an extended break from the grind. I've been feeling really low & took up meditation last week. In every session I cry, I mean bawl. My sleep routine is a mess & I get the Sunday scaries even though I don't hate my job.

Today I woke up with a migraine & am struggling. I'm going on hol for 2 weeks soon but it doesn't feel enough, I feel I need a month but I don't have that leave time.

I'm single and own my home, so I keep fantasizing about going off somewhere for 6 months (I lived abroad previously). But I'm an adult with a job! I can't just go...can I?

For about a decade. But I have kids so it's not happening.

If the 'only' tie was my job (ie I didn't have children at school) I would do it in a shot. Speak to your work and see if you can take a sabbatical. If you need the cash rent out your house or Airbnb it. YOLO and all that.

I just went. I did have a divorce settlement to fund it, but to be honest I just needed the break.

I'm in a much better place now and working in a very different way.

@Freetodowhatiwant do you think the sabbatical question would be for my.manager or HR?

My worry is they think I'm saying I want to leave and am not committed to the job. But that would be the dream.

I am changing jobs currently because of that feeling and took about two weeks off for stress and then I will have a week annual leave. I feel much better now. I think it's because two weeks isn't actually very long and creeps up on you too much.

I can do it because I have savings, do you ?

I think you're right, @Bigpaintinglittlepainting
You dream of the 2 weeks but then it doesn't really help.

I have some savings but now a huge amount. Buying my home took most of it. So I think I'd have to rely on inexpensive routes and the rent from the flat.

I have a friend who runs a yoga retreat in Spain who lets people come for weeks/months in exchange for some cooking etc. That came to mind.

Rent out you place and go travel. Work to live not live to work.

I spent two years travelling after a crazy job. Had the most incredible time. Don’t regret it one bit.

Check your HR policies - we have one about sabbaticals! For ours there’s certain criteria that you have to meet to be eligible (e.g time at company) and it’s unpaid but you can take up to 6 months.

I’m considering it at the moment and my first step would be a chat with my boss.