Thanks so much for sharing … about to head out on a “gap year” — or rather a “sabbatical” as we call it in the academic area in Europe— it’s a very respected time to travel, get inspiration and reflect. In Switzerland they give Public school teachers (even middle school level!) the right to go on a paid sabbatical after 10 years working! It’s important for mental and emotional health and to get the motivation to keep working.
This reminded me of a podcast I heard years ago where a set of business owners (a wife and husband) were at a point where their business was doing really well, but it had plateaued. They started to get ready to figure out how to take it to the next level when they realized they had two choices: they and their team could work extremely hard to expand and grow again or... they and their team could take more vacation time, work fewer hours, and enjoy their lives more. And they decided to do the latter because they wanted their business to support them rather than have their business be the center of their lives.
I remember thinking, why does this feel so revolutionary? And it's because we see almost no examples of this in the US. But continuous growth forever is actually extremely unnatural.
So thank you for being a rare example of this. Even just attempting it is incredibly necessary for all of us to see.
I love that, Amy!! I can so relate to them. I could just keep making this bigger and bigger, but that’s not what’s most important to me. I’ve realized lately that other “currencies” (time, freedom, flexibility, less stress, the ability to be present, enoughness) are really the currencies that hold a lot of value to me at the moment. Thank you so much for sharing ❤️
I love this one!! Prob one of my favorites thus far. We are human beings not humans doing and I love that life is more than our businesses and chasing things that don’t matter.
Sam, I really connect with you in your writing and appreciate your honesty.... maybe you don't have to know who, what, when or why... maybe trusting your intuition and allowing it to lead you to what's next, when the time is right, might be the most organic thing you do for yourself. I saw your post about calling yourself a Writer... and YES YOU ARE! Along with many other fabulous things. :)
Exactly!! I love that. I was thinking that while I hiked the Inca trail and could barely breathe (because of the altitude!) — step by step, one shuffle at a time! Following my intuition for each step, which led to the next 🙏❤️
When you get a chance, Sam, look up Polyvagal Theory. What it sounds like you're doing, very wisely, is regulating your nervous system and getting yourself out of fight or flight (and freeze, fawn). Reminding yourself that you are safe is key to that.
I made a little mantra for myself that seems to cover the bases when we start to spin:
I am
happy and healthy,
loved and wealthy,
safe and respected,
supported and protected.
Wishing you a safe and easy journey home, and that you fully enjoy this gap year. xo
Thanks so much for sharing … about to head out on a “gap year” — or rather a “sabbatical” as we call it in the academic area in Europe— it’s a very respected time to travel, get inspiration and reflect. In Switzerland they give Public school teachers (even middle school level!) the right to go on a paid sabbatical after 10 years working! It’s important for mental and emotional health and to get the motivation to keep working.
ＷｈａｔｓａｐｐME➕𝟏↡𝟑𝟎𝟖↡𝟐𝟓𝟔↡𝟒𝟑𝟖𝟏
I hope you have an amazing, restorative sabbatical Amanda! My husband is also an academic 🥰🥰 thanks so much for reading!
This reminded me of a podcast I heard years ago where a set of business owners (a wife and husband) were at a point where their business was doing really well, but it had plateaued. They started to get ready to figure out how to take it to the next level when they realized they had two choices: they and their team could work extremely hard to expand and grow again or... they and their team could take more vacation time, work fewer hours, and enjoy their lives more. And they decided to do the latter because they wanted their business to support them rather than have their business be the center of their lives.
I remember thinking, why does this feel so revolutionary? And it's because we see almost no examples of this in the US. But continuous growth forever is actually extremely unnatural.
So thank you for being a rare example of this. Even just attempting it is incredibly necessary for all of us to see.
ＷｈａｔｓａｐｐME➕𝟏↡𝟑𝟎𝟖↡𝟐𝟓𝟔↡𝟒𝟑𝟖𝟏
I love that, Amy!! I can so relate to them. I could just keep making this bigger and bigger, but that’s not what’s most important to me. I’ve realized lately that other “currencies” (time, freedom, flexibility, less stress, the ability to be present, enoughness) are really the currencies that hold a lot of value to me at the moment. Thank you so much for sharing ❤️
I love this one!! Prob one of my favorites thus far. We are human beings not humans doing and I love that life is more than our businesses and chasing things that don’t matter.
ＷｈａｔｓａｐｐME➕𝟏↡𝟑𝟎𝟖↡𝟐𝟓𝟔↡𝟒𝟑𝟖𝟏
Human beings, not humans doing — that’s perfect!!
Sam, I really connect with you in your writing and appreciate your honesty.... maybe you don't have to know who, what, when or why... maybe trusting your intuition and allowing it to lead you to what's next, when the time is right, might be the most organic thing you do for yourself. I saw your post about calling yourself a Writer... and YES YOU ARE! Along with many other fabulous things. :)
ＷｈａｔｓａｐｐME➕𝟏↡𝟑𝟎𝟖↡𝟐𝟓𝟔↡𝟒𝟑𝟖𝟏
Exactly!! I love that. I was thinking that while I hiked the Inca trail and could barely breathe (because of the altitude!) — step by step, one shuffle at a time! Following my intuition for each step, which led to the next 🙏❤️
When you get a chance, Sam, look up Polyvagal Theory. What it sounds like you're doing, very wisely, is regulating your nervous system and getting yourself out of fight or flight (and freeze, fawn). Reminding yourself that you are safe is key to that.
I made a little mantra for myself that seems to cover the bases when we start to spin:
I am
happy and healthy,
loved and wealthy,
safe and respected,
supported and protected.
Wishing you a safe and easy journey home, and that you fully enjoy this gap year. xo
Thank you so much Sandra! I love this mantra. It’s beautiful! I often repeat, “I am happy. I am healthy. I am at ease.”
Perfection, Sam! (Maybe add in “safe” as a reminder…and “I am totally badass.”) xo
Hahah I’ll do it for you! 🤣❤️
I love this post. We learn so much from others who live differently than we do in North America.
ＷｈａｔｓａｐｐME➕𝟏↡𝟑𝟎𝟖↡𝟐𝟓𝟔↡𝟒𝟑𝟖𝟏
100% Luana! Couldn’t agree more. I think travel is so important for that very reason.