Thanks for your support! Hope you enjoyed this update video and it was helpful if you are thinking of taking a sabbatical. Check out the new app, I'm working on here: www.bukola.dev/app
I took an unplanned sabbatical as well from nursing. I have been a RN for 19 years and just felt exhausted in ways that are hard to explain, unless you’re a nurse or healthcare provider! I worked through Covid. I was a Public Health Nurse and we led the emergency response in my state. I never really took a vacation. My youngest had just turned 19 so I was going through a “lost” phase because I wasn’t doing the mommy thing the same. Plus other personal/family dynamics that were taking a mental and physical toll on me. So in June I gave my notice at work and left officially on July 5, WITHOUT A PLAN!!! I figured I would take a month or so…well here it is 5 months later 😂😂 I had more time to focus and redirect my energy. Study the Bible more and get closer with God! Did some minor home improvements. Healed mentally in ways I didn’t know I needed. I’ve had a few job offers but declined, I just wasn’t ready. I’m so thankful I had $$ saved but it’s time to return to the work force and be a productive member of society. I have NO REGRETS leaving my job and taking a sabbatical ❤️❤️
@@nauticdixons that’s awesome and so freeing! I was hoping I could be led down another path while I was “resting” on my sabbatical. I know there’s so much to do in nursing. I haven’t worked bedside since 2016 and have no plans on ever going back if I don’t have to. I have done case management, utilization review, outpatient clinics, workers compensation, to name a few.
@msstacey777 I worked bedside for 5 years, got burnt out, and went on to run my own allied health career training school (cna phlebotomy, ekg technology, etc). That was becoming too regulated for my own peace of mind (like everything else in the US). I now live in Nigeria and Ghana and explore the natural path to total wellbeing that I can't even trade for anything else in the world. There's soooo much out there in the world. Wishing you all the best with it 🙏🏿
@@nauticdixons thank you!!! I’ve been a nurse almost 20 years. I’m big on wellness and movement and exercise and proper diets….not a fan of pharmaceuticals unless it’s truly needed. The US Health system is a sickcare model!! I’m sure my path will come in to fruition sooner than later
It’s important to have savings to fall back on if you’re in between jobs…I highly recommend people to know their financial situation before they quit their job
This is the only reason I'm still with the company I work for. I exhausted my savings covering some of my mother's medical expenses and preparing for my son's birth in 2021 during covid. I also had a pay cut (company was not getting jobs during covid era and and and). I've been trying to build my savings back up but struggling. If it wasn't that, I would quit right now and never look back.
As someone that's doing the same thing, you nailed every point. I'm glad that you realized even the "cons" are worth it and even quite valuable, as you need to go through all the ups and downs in order to grow internally. Ultimately, I think its all about believing in yourself to take a chance (assuming you plan ahead and have your finances in order), and you believe you will be ok no matter where your sabbatical takes you. Great video!
Current funemployed and agree with your reflections. I love it and will continue to take such breaks throughout my career and most likely be better physically and mentally for it!
I`m going through a sabbatical and one reason why I quit my 15-year career was to realign with my purpose so what you mention as existential dread or crisis I use as a compass to learn how I really want to live my life and go deep into my needs, wants and desires - basically I`m working on my mental health and personal growth, something I didn`t have time to do while working. 6 weeks in and I`m pretty sure I will not go back to work, ever, because the system is not supporting any of my most important values (free time, (mental) health, personal and professional development, spirituality,...) + it`s just a distraction from actually living a fulfilling life. And even though I had depression for 15 years I`m slowly starting to feel better than ever! so from my side, I highly recommend taking a sabbatical to anyone considering!!
@wherestheparty_ excellent post! I relate to the existential dread/crisis during a sabbatical and like you I used that as an anchor to dig deeper. I leveraged a therapist to break down distorted thoughts and beliefs and partnered with an executive coach to helped me reassess my values. Once I became recentered in my values (and not a company), a lot of the fog and confusion dissipated. It was a lot easier to be present in my journey without feeling like I’m missing something taking a break from the corporate grind. For anyone considering a sabbatical, I strongly recommend connecting with an executive or life coach to help reconnect you with your values. It may not prevent the existential dread, but you’ll be in a better position not to be defeated by it.
Similar path. I’m taking a travel career break but I agree our lives are not really our own due to the capitalist values. Freedom is in taking time to heal and rediscover yourself. ❤
I'm also 9 months into my sabbatical (calling it my adult gap year!) and this video was so so relatable. You nailed all the pros and cons -- and I agree, overall it's been so worth it. Thank you for sharing, Bukola 🙂
Hi Bukola, great video. I didn't take a sabbatical but was laid off. However, all of the points you mentioned are the truth! I am changing my career and experienced all of these feelings. I would emphasize the area of support, having a support system is everything and it might not be your family/friends. Sending love to everyone trying to better themselves in these difficult times.
Welcome back Bukola! Thanks for sharing your experience- for me I don’t think there’s a monetary value you can place on time freedom! It’s priceless! Great to hear your experience.
I retired early a year and a half ago and am going through the same need for some form of structure that you described. Whether you're on sabbatical or retired, you will most likely go through this. I'm finally starting to figure out the right structure for my days and weeks so that I'm feeling productive while exploring interests I didn't have time for when I was working... all while enjoying retirement and having the freedom to not do anything if I don't want to. Thanks for the video and best wishes to you.
Hello, I just stumbled on this video but it was just on time. I have been in the corporate world for 25 years and I have been thinking about moving on for a while. This cemented my decision to make that change, as you stated it is scary but worth it. Thank you for sharing 💜
Loved this video!! I’ve always wondered how it felt taking a sabbatical. There are so many things to weigh and it’s definitely not something you can easily do spontaneously. Lots of preparation to go into it!! Also burn out is so real 😭😭
I had never been out of work since 15 y/o and I left my corporate insurance job of the past 13 years back in February, spent 2 months in Korea, and enrolled in school full time for nursing. I was beyond terrified and thought I would utterly fail at school since I've been out of school since HS. But I got my final grades in and 3/5 of my courses are 100% or more, and 2 are in the high 90s. I also went through a divorce during this semester, and all of this has made me do a lot of internal soul searching. But now I'm in a much better place. Even if someone can't do a full blown sebatical I definitely recommend taking an extended leave. It gave me the time to really evaluate what I wanted in life, where I was in that grand scheme, and what I needed to change in order to achieve that. I didn't have the mental bandwidth to do all that thinking while working my old job.
I'm happy you're back! So sorry you encountered an existential crisis during sabbatical. I've learned that as well right after having the privilege of not doing a lot after high school so from that I've learned I can only chill for 2-3 weeks max. Afterwards I have to have a daily structure with certain goals, otherwise I end up being depressed. I can't wait to watch where you're heading next!
I feel like existential crisis are fact of life! Everyone goes through it at some point. But yes I learned that too I like to be somewhat busy and working towards something!
Hey dear Bukola, you know you are my biggest inspiration for becoming a software engineer. I wish to get to know you in person and thank you for your guidance 😊🙏🏽
This video was great! All of these points are spot on. I was laid off recently and have been struggling with whether to make this the sabbatical Ive needed or rush back to work. This was helpful
Thanks for sharing Bukola. Exactly feeling the same pros and cons 8.5 months into the sabbatical. I found myself putting lots of pressure to have the next steps figured, the beauty of the sabbatical is also to take a step back from having everything under control. What helps me is to have a wellbeing routine and take small steps towards new goals.
I went through the same thing leaving my position to find out exactly what kind of business I wanted to start. The existential dread is real! But now I really know that my direction came from that empty space. Thank you so much for sharing.
Ever since only working part time…I have experienced work life balance for me and I’m glad I don’t experience the feeling of being burnt out…yeah the pay sucks but I’m happy
Love love love.... how you dove in deep in thought to explain this. People may not understand there are many reasons why a person takes a sabbatical. One key component is having a Financial plan. Among all the other very important aspects you mentioned. You should consider teaching this in a workshop online or in person. Peace and Blessings Always. ❤
This was very insightful. There is power in doing scary things. Getting goals for career breaks is so important. Not sure if the app creation was part of your plan or not, but it doesn’t really sound like a true break if you’re running a business too. This gave me lots to think about. Thanks for sharing. My ideal career break is to rest, retire and travel. I’ve been working 30 years though and this is where I feel the most existential crisis 😅❤. Blessings. New subscriber here !
I grew up in a way that I HAD to achieve my goals and couldn't afford to fail. I pushed through crazy circumstances throughout my teens and early twenties and qualified in my field at 28 (my field is very elitist and not very diverse). Upon qualification, I realised I didn't feel fulfilled. I was unemployed for 3 months last year and the freedom that came along with that was amazing. However, due to a lack of savings (the year of training that led to my qualification was very low paid and I was getting into debt just to be able to train essentially), I was eager to earn money again. But since coming back to the workforce, I have felt unsure of my path and whether it is for me. Major existential crisis. I am trying to remain strong and positive hoping that it will all make sense eventually. But I resonate a lot with the points around figuring things out and giving yourself TIME. I'm rejecting hustle culture, struggle culture. I am not workshy but I want to give my energy to something that excites and intrigues me everyday.
It’s awesome that you took a sabbatical. Some people can’t afford to take that much time away from work. When I was fired from my job as a nurse, I landed hard on my ‘you know what’. I had to use unemployment benefits and working odd jobs for a year or two. I had been a civil servant nurse for 8 years. Nursing is still in my blood. I wasn’t working as a nurse during the recent Covid 19 Pandemic. I wanted to give up nursing anyway in the long run to own a business. Patient care is a grueling and rewarding career. I’m just glad that I’m not doing it presently. Bukola you should feel good about getting away from the corporate structure sabbatical wise👍🏾.
Yes, my path is different than others and I only want to focus on myself…because I have so many things that other people don’t…I’m so lucky to have my health and my family
I think it works for you due to the passive income from RU-vid. For most people I’d say it’s actually a mistake to quit or take a sabbatical. There’s a lot of very talented software engineers who are having a hard time finding a job now. So if you take a sabbatical and your job isn’t waiting for you when you get back, you may not have the option to just snap your fingers and rejoin the workforce. If you plan on taking one year off, it might turn into two years. So that 12 month emergency fund wouldn’t last. But since you have passive income as a RU-vidr I think that’s what ultimately makes it more than worth it.
Gotta save up to make moves. My boy work for Facebook in cali, saved up 200k and took off 2yrs due to mental reasons. He is getting ready to start work at Google soon
@@Uncle-ruckus-bit my wife and I have a $2MM net worth. I still wouldn’t take a break from work (unless it’s < 3 months). I know quite a few people that took an extended break from work around Covid times. I think they made a massive mistake when you think about all the compound interest they could have made if they had kept on working. I think it makes more sense to find a low stress job that you can do without needing a break. No point in having a super high income if it’s going to kill your mental health and make you take two years off of work.
I've been working since I was 14 on the books and 12 (as a babysitter). I'm going to be 26 this year and I've noticed that I'm at the place where I'm looking at my life and thinking,"what am I doing here?" Like a hamster on a wheel with a sprained ankle is how I feel. I love that you're documenting this bc its pretty unheard of in my circles to stop working before retirement age. I don't want to stop completely but I havent finished college bc working took precedence. I have been planning to do barista f.i.r.e so I can do college and travel and LIVE in peace for a while. Luckily, my mother is very supportive, it's just doing it scared that I've been trying to work through. Great video❤
LinkedIn is so toxic for me lately! Left my job to pursue our startup and even “startup LinkedIn” can feel like a toxic cesspool. Yikes. Glad you mentioned you are off LI until you look for a job in the future 💜
It is a really good video. And the truth in it is 💯. Having gone through different phases in my career and short sabbatical breaks of 1 to 3 months, one was imposed 😅 the other was by choice I can completely relate. It's good to have you back Bukola. Plus, I love the way you structure your thoughts and communicate in an easy way
This video just made me realise how worthless life is because of capitalism. Like “what are we working for?” Outside of a job people don’t know what they’re supposed to be doing. You lose yourself because you are defined by your job. This is honestly just sad. Capitalism is toxic. Anyway, loved your video as always Bukola.
@@VivaLaFortuneVlog I prefer communism. Also, communism does not mean authoritarian and totalitarianism rule. Capitalism is just socialism for the rich. Its not working. Like why can't someone be a waiter and still live a fulfilled life.
@@stephenjason7575 which advantages of capitalism out weigh those of socialism or even communism? What cant we as society achieve because of socialism?
I am at the end of my sabbatical. I relate to everything you say. Now it is hard to return to the workforce because of the employment gap😢 However, I will do it again in a heartbeat. I want to work to live, not the opposite.
Is your old job guaranteed after the sabbatical ends? I ask because here in the UK 🇬🇧 we call a sabbatical a period of time out of work with the guarantee that you can return to your previous job and role. Typically you organise a sabbatical with your employer, a career break on the other hand means you quit your job and don't have a guaranteed position to return to when the break ends. Sabbaticals are thus far more desirable than career breaks because a sabbatical will not negatively impact you in the job market. With a career break you have to work your way back into the job market and take a hit on earnings & employability as employers see it as a gap in employment.
A sabbatical leave does not have to be bestowed by a company. Some companies do have that policy, but traditionally a sabbatical is unstructured time off, where as most company bestowed ones have a structure. It appears she’s doing the more traditional one
the existential dread is real lol when i took time off i remember waking up every day and immediately feeling anxious and asking myself “what am i gonna do?” in my head. it was so hard to quiet that voice.
All of the bad/ugly pieces you mentioned I’ve been experiencing for over a decade WITH a 9-5 🤣😫. I’ve been so burned out and desperate for a sabbatical.
I was one of the people who was shocked to hear you quit your Google job… Can you explain to us if you have actually quit your job OR if you have taken an unpaid leave aka “sabbatical”. A “sabbatical” implies you have a job to return to?!! Which one is it?
@@anoukc6928 it’s so confusing to hear her explain this. She makes it sound like she could have her job back??!! I really feel for her if she just quit for good just like that. She was making a looooot of money for a developer advocate … where else is she going to find a similar job with comparable pay? Only FAANGs pay that well. It’s not technically a software development job, it’s content creation, comms and teaching ( about software) . But not writing software that will be used by people.
I took a break also, march 2020 I quit my job. I did have some small paying bookkeeping clients through June 2020 but nothing crazy. I lost structure, had time to be creative and dream, definitely felt like an outsider and I went backwards (from a manager position to know senior). I did some contract work in 2021 and 2022 with one or two month long breaks. And I’m making a lot more haha even though my official title is lower. I loved the break. I can’t wait for the next one although now I officially have a w2 job and this new job is requesting I don’t take more than 2 weeks off at a time lol.
I’m almost done with my masters and I’m currently unemployed. Is that technically a sabbatical? I feel like job searching is a whole job nowadays. 4 months still looking and hoping I’m going in the right direction. Good luck to you and great insight.
Isn’t a sabbatical when you take a specific, agreed period of time off from work but then return? It’s not the same as quitting a job unless I’m wrong?
Great video. You are extremely level headed. This is off the topic, but where did you get your sofa from? I'm in need of a new sofa and yours looks very modern and comfy.
Graduated a year ago in a more or less useless master degree (at least in my perspective). Working now as a campaign manager (aka digital marketing) and it is somehow soul crushing with a crappy pay on top of that and too stressful. I study online to make a career/job change and find something where i don't have to work 9 to 5. But I'm also 29 years old and feel that I don't have much time (it is a stupid thought know). Also started to do more sports to take care of my health.
One ugly is that a lot of employers don’t like gaps in CVs and with some of the automated application tracking systems you’ll get rejected and not even considered by a human because of it
It's a big difference to quit your job during a good market and quitting your job during a layoff cycle. If you don't have a partner who can help support you, quitting during a downturn can be a big mistake. I think Bukola has a partner. It would be good if she was honest about how her partner does or does not provide her with financial support (ie. Paying the rent, etc) during her unemployment.
It’s great that you are doing well and leaving your job has helped you better your life despite the challenges you faced at the beginning. But I’m confused, you seem to be using sabbatical and quitting interchangeably, a sabbatical is a paid period off of work, like a vacation. But quitting means you don’t have a job to go back to.
Apologies for the confusion! Sabbatical, career break, gap year to me mean the same thing. This isn't an employer sponsored sabbatical, because I just quit the job
Ok. I’m sorry, I just assumed when I clicked on the video it meant company sponsored sabbatical. That’s why I would always suggest taking one of those or a leave of absence so if you realize you need to go back to tie up loose ends so you can afford to quit that’s beat. That’s what I did for school, I took a 6 month leave of absence then went back and finished a quarter so I couldn’t be charged the money I was paid from my financial aid and quit. Now I’m making more money than I would be if I had finished
A sabbatical is something that was built into teaching or certain lower paying corporate jobs as a benefit in exchange for lower pay. I worked in Insurance and we had an agreement that after 5 yrs and you were vested you could take a year off and be guaranteed your old job back, same in teaching after 3 years. If course you could get 2 years off on disability for stress. With my job we got taken over by a vulture corporation that drove high wage earners out to drive up earnings and turned working there into hell so I quit anyway
"a period of paid leave granted to a university teacher or other worker for study or travel, traditionally one year for every seven years worked." Is this what you mean when you say sabbatical?
Hey Bukola, I just discovered your channel, David Here in Vienna, Please i like to learn some tech experience from you. Is it okay to drop an email? Please how can i reach you.
She was raised abroad at a young age. It would be offensive if she isn't articulate. Nigerians hate when one they consider a generational curse breaker who did not develop themselves, especially if they had the opportunity depending on your family standing back home. She has done quite well for herself. People all over are proud, and that brings more blessings that others can or can't see and makes her averse and helps through bad things. Happy for her.
