Taking a 6 month sabbatical from work

[scho63]

It has been 17 years since I've had a real vacation and I'm burnt out. Since I left Silicon Valley in late 2001-early 2002 I have been on this never ending yo-yo of extreme highs and lows. At nearly 54 years old, I've faced a lot of self reflection of what I want out of the remaining part of my life, whatever that may be.

After working for 14 companies in that time and almost six with my current employer, I've decided to resign from a $100,000+ job and move to Scottsdale AZ to take a 6 month sabbatical from any and all work. My only job for the next half of year is to lose 75-100 pounds, get a great tan, and improve my golf game so I can have a 8 or 9 handicap again.

I'm leaving around the 16th or so of this month and spending a week or so driving out visiting friends along the way I know from my childhood.

While it was really scary to walk away from a great job to go to a place with no job, no home and just one or two friends there, I am really excited to be entering a new chapter in my life.

It is a short ride we are on so you better enjoy it along the way!

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Couch-Potato

you're my new hero.

I knew I couldn't stay on top of your list forever, but it still hurts.

[scho63]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

I would get in the habit doing a food journal. Make that shit a habit first. You would be surprised how many calories you take in a day. From there once you get a long look at what you are actually eating it makes you think about that candy bar knowing you would have to run 2 miles to get that off.

Hard to disagree.

I love veggies of all kinds, salads, and many healthy things.

My two downfall items: bread of all kinds- for sandwiches, for burgers, Italian bread with pasta, French bread with butter and dijon mustard, naan with indian, tortillas with soft tacos.

Second is cheese. I could eat 3 pounds a day. My charcuterie and cheese platters are legendary.

[Squalor2]

welp.

[tx4chiefs]

Big decision. Good luck!

[Stryker]

I am your same age. I wish you the very best and congrats on your decision. I am in the same income range as you but I do not have the same stress level. If I could take that kind of time I would but I would feel lost from my sincere second family at work. The wife and I take a week alone on the shores of San Destin and get revived. I wish you nothing but the best and enjoy the time off, away from the hustle and bustle! Cheers! I am currently on a 12 and a 1/2 hour day go live where I work for 10 to possible 14 days. With 5 weeks of vacation, I will enjoy sun and fun 3 months from now with my better half! Best wishes!

[JohnnyHammersticks]

Originally Posted by scho63

It has been 17 years since I've had a real vacation and I'm burnt out. Since I left Silicon Valley in late 2001-early 2002 I have been on this never ending yo-yo of extreme highs and lows. At nearly 54 years old, I've faced a lot of self reflection of what I want out of the remaining part of my life, whatever that may be.

After working for 14 companies in that time and almost six with my current employer, I've decided to resign from a $100,000+ job and move to Scottsdale AZ to take a 6 month sabbatical from any and all work. My only job for the next half of year is to lose 75-100 pounds, get a great tan, and improve my golf game so I can have a 8 or 9 handicap again.

I'm leaving around the 16th or so of this month and spending a week or so driving out visiting friends along the way I know from my childhood.

While it was really scary to walk away from a great job to go to a place with no job, no home and just one or two friends there, I am really excited to be entering a new chapter in my life.

It is a short ride we are on so you better enjoy it along the way!

Weird how similar our situations are. Same age-range. Just sold my business and am taking at least a year off. Haven't had a real vacation since 2007. First day of freedom was February 1st. Just got back from a week in Scottsdale. Played Grayhawk, Talking Stick, The Raven, Legacy, and The Phoenician. Good luck, and enjoy the time off! Life's too short to grind it all away without enjoying the fruits of your labor.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

You've got balls of steel man, I'd never think I was in a good enough position to do that. I guess too much bad (and expensive) shit has happened, that no matter how much money I had, I'd worry it wasn't enough.

Yeah, I've never had a safety net, so it would be hard to voluntarily give up pay. I'm always doing the math on my finances, thinking, "Okay, if I became homeless how much money would I have for food if I just lived off interest and dividends?" It's hard to change that mindset.

[JohnnyHammersticks]

In the immortal words of the ancient philosopher Trey Anastasio, "Can't I live while I'm young?"

[Shaid]

Good luck to you. Hopefully you find something fulfilling on the horizon.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Shaid

Good luck to you. Hopefully you find something fulfilling on the horizon.

In Scottsdale, I think the horizon is pretty much all senior communities.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

In Scottsdale, I think the horizon is pretty much all senior communities.

Say what?!

Scottsdale is happening and full of fun, not the senior community (that's Sun City). Only worry I have in this is Scho wanting to go out and booze/party every night while living there.

[JohnnyHammersticks]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

In Scottsdale, I think the horizon is pretty much all senior communities.

You're thinking of the wrong side of Phoenix. Scottsdale is happening. Especially now with spring training going. We partied like rock stars there last week, bars and clubs were overflowing. You can't walk 5 steps in Scottsdale or Tempe without running into a young hottie.

[Nickhead]

i was forced into my sabbatical, but it was good as i needed out of the printing on paper industry. even if i get stuck in retail for a short time, at least there will be security in food and clothing. i mean if macdonalds pay's 16, surely i can find something for 26, right?

[Demonpenz]

Originally Posted by scho63

Hard to disagree.

I love veggies of all kinds, salads, and many healthy things.

My two downfall items: bread of all kinds- for sandwiches, for burgers, Italian bread with pasta, French bread with butter and dijon mustard, naan with indian, tortillas with soft tacos.

Second is cheese. I could eat 3 pounds a day. My charcuterie and cheese platters are legendary.

In my food journal it is painful to keep on writing Cookies 400 calories ice cream 600 calories. You have to be consistant with keeping one but it does make you think about your choices. Measure your shit as well. It is lots of work and you should be uncomfortable but not like going crazy with hunger. You definately have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable when you are forming new habits.

[ptlyon]

Good luck scho, takes balls!