Taking a sabbatical changed my life—for the better.
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In June 2018, a month after finishing my master’s degree, I packed up my classroom, returned to our apartment, and finally exhaled. I requested a year off to travel the world—and I got it. That began a fourteen-month sabbatical that reshaped how I view work, life, and my future.
That fall I picked up substitute teaching for income, tutored and babysat locally, and planned a six-month trip while paring down our belongings. Before I knew it, the semester had flown by. We spent six incredible months backpacking the globe and then came home to decisions and new opportunities.
My gap year was coming to a close.
In a few weeks I’d return to teaching, but I would bring home something different: experiences, confidence, and a new creative direction. I planned to hang photos from Spain, Argentina, and Peru in my classroom—not just as decoration but to share stories with my students and to inspire future adventures.
Taking a gap year was the most transformative, educational, and freeing time of my life. My sabbatical was a game-changer, and here I want to share the aftermath—what changed, how I’m different, and what I accomplished.
This is the aftermath of my sabbatical.
What changed? How am I different? What did I accomplish?
Read on for an honest account of why a sabbatical might be worth considering.
How A Sabbatical Can Change Your Life
Summer 2018
Teacher summers usually feel too short, but this one was different. I wasn’t counting down to the classroom; I was intentionally enjoying time off. We camped in Acadia National Park, visited family in Vermont, and hiked around Denver. With a lighter schedule—subbing, tutoring, and occasional nannying—I controlled my time and had space for other pursuits: learning languages, reading travel books, testing gluten-free recipes, and doing yoga.
At the same time I began the practical work of preparing to leave: packing, selling items, organizing the apartment for sale, and continuing steady work on my blog. My site was a constant work in progress and the foundation for what would come next.
The Blog
I officially began blogging in June 2017 after a conversation with a colleague sparked the idea of a sabbatical. I started with a simple document of ideas, then set up a self-hosted site. My early posts were rough, but they got me started. Studying successful travel bloggers, especially Matthew Kepnes (Nomadic Matt), helped me learn the craft and the business side of blogging.
Shortly after buying a blogging course, my husband Dylan suggested a new name for the site—The Nomadic Fitzpatricks—and I rebranded. Little by little, the site improved as I learned WordPress, basic HTML, SEO, and how to write for an audience.
Quick side story: Dylan and I met Matt Kepnes at a book signing, and his advice and content were genuinely inspiring.
The Freelance Writing Gig
In fall 2018 I shifted my blog focus to be more helpful to readers, sharing practical tips like gluten-free travel strategies. I reached out—unsure but hopeful—to editors in the gluten-free niche. After a few weeks, I heard back from the editor of Gluten-Free Living Magazine who invited me to contribute paid articles. That moment turned me into a freelance writer and opened doors to other collaborations and interviews within the gluten-free community.
The Round the World Trip
On January 2, 2019, we left for Lima and started six months of full-time travel. Hikes, new foods, and meeting people worldwide taught me patience, flexibility, and how to let go. Travel forced me to accept mistakes, weird outfits, and imperfect moments. Little by little I cared less about others’ opinions and more about authenticity.
I also eased up on daily beauty routines and learned to be kinder to myself. Stripped of daily job demands and societal pressures, I grew more confident and comfortable in my own skin.
The Gluten-Free Community & Beyond
While traveling I connected with other gluten-free travelers, hiking couples, and bloggers. Slowly my Instagram presence grew. I continued writing monthly for Gluten-Free Living, interviewed on live sessions, and learned that consistent sharing builds a community. Those interactions helped me see blogging as more than a hobby—it felt like a calling.
My writing improved with each post about South America, New Zealand, and Bali. I revisited my blogging course and kept refining my craft. By spring I’d passed 1,000 Instagram followers—a milestone that felt meaningful and motivating.
The Teaching Job
In mid-May 2019, while in Pisa with my parents, I discovered I had a missed call from my district. I had agreed to a return-to-work option when I took my sabbatical, but after six months away I felt different. The Camino de Santiago provided time to reflect: would I return to the same routine or bring my newfound changes into my life at home?
I chose change—deciding to move on from my previous district and pursue opportunities that aligned with the person I’d become.
Coming Home
“Travel is not reward for working,
it is education for living.”
After 170 days, 20 countries, and miles of walking, we returned in June. Coming back felt strange: clean streets, English everywhere, and the routine of moving into a smaller apartment. We donated belongings, sold items, and embraced a simpler life. Dylan returned to work and I accepted a new teaching position in a different district—something I wouldn’t have done before the sabbatical.
The Aftermath
I’m heading back to the classroom but I’m no longer the same person who left. I’m calmer, more confident, and less influenced by others’ opinions. My blog and freelance writing continue to grow. I’ve improved my SEO, refined my writing voice, and seen steady audience growth. Some days I still compare myself to others, but I remember where I started and how far I’ve come.
I continue writing monthly for Gluten-Free Living, attend events as a gluten-free blogger, and collaborate with local businesses. My Instagram following has grown significantly since December 2018, and my website continues to evolve day by day.
If you’re considering a career break or a change in routine, try taking one small step toward it. Change is scary—I know—but breaking out of a comfort zone may be the most rewarding decision you ever make. Nothing changes if nothing changes.
-Jen
Have you ever taken a sabbatical?
Would you consider taking one, and why?
Let me know in the comments!