AIBU to take a sabbatical?

[sabbatical2022]

I left a job 2 weeks ago without another one to go to (old company was just awful).

Offered a job yesterday but won't be starting until August of this year due to the nature of the field I work in as it's project work.

The logic in me says I should find temp work for 3 and a bit months.

But I've always wanted to take a bit of a "sabbatical" just to travel a little (even just locally) and focus on my fitness/body goals.

Am I being unreasonable for taking a sabbatical and staying unemployed until August?

Assuming you can afford it, go for it!

I took about eight months off a few years ago (pre-pandemic, fortunately), having planned for it and saved up for a couple of years, and it was ACE.

@AffIt Oh that's amazing, I wish I could have 8 months off lol but 3 months off will still be a dream.

I've been earning well and have a mountain of savings so can definitely afford 3 months out of work.

Why on earth wouldn't you?

You have another job lined up and savings so you could afford it and you're dithering about whether you should take the rest of the summer off.

What's your situation? Any complications due to pets, partner, caring responsibilities?

If not, you could travel all over the place. Look at last minute deals and you could be anywhere in the world (COVID etc permitting) within a few days. What's stopping you?????

If you can afford it do it. DH is very lucky and gets one with his current job He’s been there for 12 years now and got 3 months off at full pay after 10 years. Sadly this was 2020 so he’s only just booking it in now. We’re heading to New Zealand and Australian to visit family. I have to take all my leave and unpaid at once but trip of a lifetime.

@BarbaraofSeville My situation: I'm 31, no kids/partner, no caring responsibilities. I do have a mortgage but the payments are small and easily covered with existing funds. You're right, there should be nothing stopping me. It was just the stigma of being "unemployed" or the whole "career break" thing that made me think that people may think I'm just being lazy. Or that gap on my CV.

@ememem84 Wow 3 months off at full pay, that's so lucky. We all need a job like that ha.

I was going to recommend looking into whether you could get some life cover for the intervening period as you will likely between death in service benefits, but you may not even need that if you have no dependants.

I can't think of a single reason why you wouldn't take the time out in your shoes. I think you would hugely regret it if you didn't.

He forgets he’s the only one who gets the time off though!!

but don’t worry about the cv gap. I wouldn’t be worried by it if I saw it. I’d want to know what you did but to me taking time out is a great thing. Self care. Proper break. I took a month off between finishing my last job and starting my current one. I was so stressed out with last job. It gave me time to heal and recover. So when I started current job I was refreshed relaxed prepared and they got the best of me.