You Don’t Need to be Rich to Take a Long Career Break

The most common misconception about career breaks is that you must be wealthy to do them. There are many ways to get the break and not go broke in the process!

It’s no secret that taking a long absence from work might be expensive. But what if I told you that you didn’t need to be rich to take one?

Well, you don’t.

And what do I mean by taking “a long absence from work?” I define a career break as being away from the job for at least 12 months. You may take a sabbatical but then your job is thereafter you are done with the break.

But if you want to take a career break, you simply resign and take as long of leave as you wish.

However, before pausing your career, you should possess some of the attributes outlined here.

In 2018, I resigned from my last job because of my burnout and took a career break; long-term.

We moved to Spain and began to build a new life. I stayed at home full-time (my daughter was 8) while my husband continued working 3 months time as a travel nurse and then he will join us in Spain to have his sabbatical for 3–4 months.

Many people, including friends, judged us on how I can afford not to work. What if I will lose the possibility of being employed again, or telling me “that screams white privilege.”

All the judgements were far from the truth and I still got the job despite not working for three years:

But, you may ask: “How can I take a long-term career break if I still have to pay the bills?”

Before I show you how anyone can take a long employment break, you need to know where I came from and how I arrived here.

I’ve always wanted to live in the United States; in a land of possibilities. I loved traveling and discovering new things and learning new languages.

I was born and raised in Slovakia, the eastern bloc, and in the late 1990s, getting a US visa was difficult because the unemployment rate was high at home and many people were coming to America for illegal work.

For me to get the visa was close to impossible. Therefore, I needed to think outside of the box.

One day, I ran across an advertisement in the local newspaper where non-governmental organization was looking for volunteers in Africa who would sign a contract for 2 years. And after completing the program, they were offering participants the option of traveling to the United States for two months. Also, scholarship was included for anyone who will complete the contract.

Yes, that was my opportunity, and I signed up immediately. Three months later, I was on my way to South Africa and Mozambique as an AIDS & HIV Health Educator:

After I completed the program, and collected my US visa, my journey to America began with one backpack and $500 in my pocket. Upon arrival, I had some eastern European connections in New Jersey, so I immediately sought work.

I took whatever job I could get, and I wasn’t picky. To survive, I needed money. A live-in nanny, housekeeper, cleaning, or server are all examples of this.

Immediately after I received my legal documentation in the US, I enrolled at a local community college. After my daughter was born, I continued my education at the state university. Also, I continued with my work. Adaptability was my motto. I left positions for more interesting ones if they became dull. I wasn’t afraid to take risks.

My husband, who is also from Eastern Europe, did the same; and after our daughter was born, we no longer saw each other since I worked during the day and he worked at night.

We did this crazy schedule until my daughter was 8 years old. We saved, lived below our means, went home to the EU, and then came back to the same boring routine. But we couldn’t attain the American dream faster; it wasn’t coming, and I got burned out.

At the same time, the quality of life in the US was diminishing, and it became harder to save or to be safe with the daily mass shootings.

We began looking at the many alternatives for our future life. And we all agreed that for me to take a long career break and have a better quality of life, we needed to relocate to an affordable and safe country.

We initially wanted to settle in Nicaragua, but because of political turmoil in 2018, we had to flee the lovely country and move to Spain.

As you noticed from my story, I used these 5 attributes to take a long-term career break or sabbatical:

1. Be resourceful
2. Have a grit
3. Don’t be afraid to take risks
4. Live below your means and save
5. Be flexible and be able to change your life

Be resourceful and forget about your comfort zone

If you want to take a long break from your job, you need to be resourceful and think outside of the box. As I am not rich or coming from a rich family, but I was very resourceful. I always achieved something with little to no money.

If something is impossible to achieve, there is always a way to do it. You just need to find the way as I did by getting the US visa, getting jobs, despite not having money.

You need to sacrifice many things like your comfort zone such as leaving your birthplace and family behind, and just go.

Have a grit

If I didn’t have grit and perseverance for a long time, like two decades, I couldn’t achieve the long-term break from my career.

I worked and studied almost all the time. I loved it for a while but it had its cost; I got burned out.

Don’t be afraid to take the risks

I was never afraid to take risks and live to the fullest. Didn’t care about corporate jobs with the benefits. Please, don’t be afraid to take risks. By taking risks you create opportunities, by having stable jobs you create limitations. It is all about mindset.

Live below your means and save

My husband and I are drifters, and we love saving money. We enjoy living a minimalist lifestyle that allows us to save even more money.

I couldn’t work now without the savings. The easiest method to take a lengthy break from your profession or career is to move to a low-cost country.

Start with small savings which will add up over time. Minor savings may help you start a new life. At least $15,000 per year for a family is required to start. Also, pay off any debts before relocating.

Be flexible

I was never searching for a job or career stability. I have faith in my abilities, and I love being able to change my life at the drop of a hat.

I believe the more life experience I have, the more employable I am. Or I am always looking for new ways to earn a living without traditional employment.

Also, flexible life is more interesting and adventurous without dull moments. I can’t stand routine. It kills my spirit to live fully.

That is my story, and as you can see, I’m from a poor EU country that didn’t have external help or finances, but I had the 5 attributes mentioned above that helped me to take a career break for a long time.

This isn’t bragging since it wasn’t easy, but to show that it is attainable to take a break from work if you are dedicated. It’s not impossible.

The bottom line is that if you want to take a career break, you need to be resourceful and go outside of your comfort zone. And it will require taking risks and making sacrifices.

So, if you are feeling burned out and need a break, be innovative and take these measures to achieve your goal. It is possible!

Thank you for reading!