I’m writing this in mid-July, about a month before we leave for our sabbatical. And if you’re reading this in late November, it means we’re well into the journey by now.
What I hope is true, sitting here from this vantage point, is that we’ve done a few key things: enjoyed the time together, stayed reasonably close to (or even under) budget, committed to extending into Fiji for a handful of days, and—maybe most importantly—stayed healthy.
That’s the baseline.
Beyond that, my hope is that I’ve learned something about when I most enjoy being active, and that I’ve begun to appreciate the experience of being still. I want to feel both rested and energized—two things that haven’t often coexisted in recent years.
In July, I tried to be intentional about setting a few baselines. I had body scans, bloodwork, and general health assessments done so I could better understand how a different pace of living might affect my body. If you’re considering something similar, I’d recommend it—it’s already helped me think differently about how I move through my day.
By now, I hope the daily walking has been good to me. That I’ve noticed better mobility in my hips, less tightness in my lower back, maybe even a little weight loss or increased flexibility. But even if not, I hope I’ve stayed curious about how I feel. That alone would be progress.
This isn’t a retrospective—I’ll save that for next year. But it’s a marker. A moment in time to note what I hoped this sabbatical would unlock: a little space, a little stillness, and the beginning of new habits that could carry me through the next decade.
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A quick note: I’ll be taking the month of December off from writing here. When I return in January, I’ll share a look at what these first six months have meant and what’s coming next. Thanks for being part of the journey.