One Year to Live Differently My Sabbatical Begins

Описание: Hi, I’m Sarah, and I’m taking a full-year sabbatical—not to travel the world for content, not to check things off a list, but to rebalance, rest, and return to myself after a life of doing, working, and giving.
In this video, I share what led to my sabbatical, how we planned it, what we packed, and what I’m hoping to find in the space that opens up when I stop hustling. This isn’t a travel vlog, though we are moving through Europe and Latin America. This is an honest look at what it means to choose slowness, partnership, presence, and purpose when work has been your whole identity.
This video includes:
What I packed (carry-on and backpack only)
Where we’re going and how long we’re staying
How I’m handling work, boundaries, and ongoing research
What I’m learning about being alive beyond productivity
Weekly “rebalancing index” and what that really means for me

Whether you’re curious about sabbaticals, looking to rest without guilt, or just wondering what this year might teach me—thanks for being here.

🕒 Timestamps
00:00 – Why I’m taking a sabbatical
03:21 – Is this a vacation?
05:10 – What I’m NOT doing right now
06:45 – What I AM doing
09:15 – How we’re affording this
11:05 – Where we’re going
13:45 – What I packed (and what I left behind)
16:20 – Setting boundaries around work
18:55 – Sabbatical as a reset, not a break
21:10 – What a “Rebalancing Index” is
23:45 – What I hope to bring home from this year
26:00 – Questions I’m carrying with me
#sabbaticalnotvacation #rebalancing #livingpoeticly #slowliving #teacheronleave #writewithme #restwithoutguilt #backpacklife #sabbaticaljourney #slowtravel

If you enjoyed this video, consider subscribing. I’ll be sharing weekly moments from our journey—just five photos and a reflection, no hustle. You can also follow along on Instagram @sarahjdonovan9

If you’re considering a sabbatical, or if you’ve taken one, I’d love to hear what you learned—or what questions you're still holding. Drop a comment below.