Going against the grain

modern-day sabbatical | deeper rest | taking a break

When the sabbatical calls,

even if your pockets are empty,

listen to her voice;

she brings all that can’t be bought.

Words of wisdom from Tess Guinery’s Apricot Memoirs.

Before you dismiss the idea of taking a sabbatical as impractical or impossible…

What if it’s not?

The word sabbatical comes from the Hebrew word "Shabbat," which means to cease or rest. For thousands of years, people have observed the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship.

And while the idea of taking a sabbatical may seem out of reach, it doesn't have to be.

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Today, for many people, the nature of disconnecting is often a Netflix binge or getting lost in an infinite scroll through social media.

We, the collective we, are tried.

And it has a lot to do with how we choose to rest.

It is more common to watch shows about cooking, gardening, and exploring than actively pursuing these things. We are busy and crave rest — but what quality is in the rest we are taking?

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It is, oh so very normal to lose our alignment and even our zest for life in the busyness. And the tiredness. Amidst the noise and distraction, how can we hear the things our soul really needs and wants?

We choose short-term pleasure dopamine. Again and again.

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We know our relationship with technology and how we use our mobile phones has created a world of fragmented attention and near-constant distraction.

😴 It’s fucking exhausting.

If YOU are overwhelmed, burnt out, or exhausted, consider taking some form of a sabbatical. Try an hour, a day, a week, or even a month.

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The idea of sabbatical runs much deeper than a little ‘social media detox’. It’s choosing, intentionally, to cease what is normal in exchange for the unknown.

It’s meant to feel daunting.

❤️‍🔥

Inhale — to the depths of your core. 

Exhale — give gratitude to the old ways; they brought you this far. 

Inhale — love. 

Exhale — drop your shoulders, put down all the heavyness and begin. 

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This letter and I will be taking a break next week as I’ll be walking part of The Camino de Santiago. I’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s post, did you find it useful?

Have a great day — and week ahead.

Le grá/ with love,

Georgie