Black women are often conditioned to work 10 times harder than their white and male counterparts to succeed in life. This drive is not bad; however, too much dedication to hard work can sometimes throw you off balance with your self-rest. Sometimes, overworking yourself for long periods calls for something more than a few days off to rest. You may need to take a sabbatical.
The idea of taking a sabbatical might seem like a distant dream. However, it’s crucial to recognize the importance of prioritizing your mental well-being. The demands of work, family, and social responsibilities can take a toll on our mental well-being. That’s why it’s essential to consider taking a sabbatical.
What Is a Sabbatical?
A sabbatical is a structured break from your regular routine, typically from work or other responsibilities. Stepping away temporarily is a conscious choice, giving yourself the time and space to recharge. Sabbaticals can vary from a few weeks to several months, depending on your needs and circumstances. It can be an essential tool for mental health recovery and growth for Black women.
For North Carolina resident Ashley Peterson, her sabbatical was an eye-opener.
Taking The First Steps
It was during the pandemic when Peterson first got word of the opportunity to take a sabbatical. Companies began to put a lot of emphasis on their employees’ mental health. Her company, which she had been working under for 10 years, offered her a year’s sabbatical with partial pay and health benefits. On top of dealing with personal issues that took a toll on her mental health, she jumped at the opportunity. Still, taking a sabbatical can be scary.
“Outside of being tired, I was scared but optimistic simply because I had no idea what the job market would be like on the other side,” she explained. “I was raised to stick beside a good organization, and sharing the decision with my parents scared me even more despite knowing it was right for me.”
She also had to prepare herself for a sabbatical. Making the right choice for you can be hard when you’ve known a specific routine for some time, or in Peterson’s case, 10 years.
“The guilt was heavy,” Peterson shared. She explained that she felt guilty for stepping away from a job she enjoyed with no one to cover her workload accurately. Her dedication to opening up about the decision also gave her guilt. “And knowing I wanted to share the journey with others in hopes they could get the same rest I was about to, but knowing it was an extreme privilege in a messed up world. From the outside looking in, I was a single woman, a corporate senior leader, making 6 figures – so, of course, I could do that… and for the first time, maybe I’d have to do something inspiring in a bubble to feel best about it.”
Finding Transformation Through a Sabbatical
Once you get through the initial discomfort of the sabbatical, which Peterson says took her some time to reprogram for herself, you can reap all its benefits.
“This year has been transformational, to say the least,” she recalled. “I’ve learned so much not just about myself, but have been able to observe so much about the role Black women play in our families, workplaces, communities, etc. that has helped me to understand how I get here. Through intense self work and healing, I know how I must live going forward and the story I must tell to truly inspire others because most of us just don’t know any better.”
She could create a more intimate relationship with God through her sabbatical and tap into what Ashley wanted. She realized that since she had been working for the same company for so long, she didn’t know what working at a new place was like or even what she wanted.
Sabbatical helped her realize that she never takes time to process life; she didn’t know how to work without going above and beyond and had a habit of unknowingly sacrificing her personal life because of her love for work.
By taking time to not have to focus on work, you too can find yourself once more. Taking a sabbatical is a radical act of self-care and self-preservation for Black women. It’s a declaration that your mental health matters, and you deserve the time and space to heal, grow, and thrive. By dedicating time to healing, self-discovery, and self-love, you can emerge from your sabbatical stronger, more resilient, and better equipped to face the world with confidence and grace.