Taking a Break from Work: How One Woman Spent $6,000 on a Four-Month Sabbatical
In 2023, Rowena Hennigan, a self-employed remote work consultant, made a difficult but necessary decision — she needed an extended break from work. Suffering from disrupted sleep, anxiety, and brain fog – common symptoms of menopause — she realized that her mental and physical health were taking a toll on her work. Despite trying various remedies, she eventually accepted that she needed a proper rest to recover. Rather than letting fear paralyze her, she embarked on a four-month sabbatical, creatively using budgeting, travel strategies, and community support to make it happen.
Key Takeaways:
- A four-month sabbatical is possible on a budget. Hennigan managed to spend just under $6,000 for her four-month break, with the majority of her time spent on free activities like hiking and local sightseeing.
- Creative accommodations can save money. By staying with friends, utilizing housesitting programs, and opting for affordable options like "menu del dia" in restaurants, Hennigan minimized her accommodation and dining expenses.
- Building a strong support network is crucial. Her family and friends provided crucial support, offering accommodation and companionship, which made her sabbatical more enjoyable and affordable.
- Rest is not a luxury, but a necessity. Hennigan’s experience highlights the importance of prioritizing rest and how it can positively impact productivity and mental well-being.
A Trip to the Canary Islands
Hennigan’s sabbatical kicked off with a 15-day trip to Gran Canaria, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands. She and her family stayed with friends, avoiding accommodation costs and sticking to a strict budget of 20 euros (about $21.50) per person per day for food and drinks. This portion of her journey cost her approximately $731, including flights.
Fixed Costs at Home
While away, Hennigan’s portion of fixed costs for rent, bills, and food in Zaragoza, Spain amounted to about $860 per month, totaling $3,440 for the four months of her sabbatical.
Hiking in Spain
In mid-January, Hennigan set off on a near four-week stay in the Spanish Pyrenees. Her biggest expense was a one-bedroom Airbnb: $915, or around $32 per night. However, by shopping at local supermarkets she managed to eat and drink for just $16 per day, on average. Eating out was also affordable, with a coffee and sandwich in a cafe averaging $11-$13, and a three-course "menu del dia" (lunch of the day) costing around $21.50 per person.
Hennigan’s main activity, hiking, was completely free. She had originally planned to ski, but due to warmer weather and little snow, she could utilize her ski pass credit from the previous year. She also had the benefit of her husband and 10-year-old daughter joining her on the weekends, making her sabbatical even more enjoyable. These four weeks of travel cost Hennigan a total of approximately $1,502.
A Homestay in France
After a month at home, Hennigan spent another month in Villembits, France. Through Trusted Housesitters, she found a four-bedroom farmhouse she could stay in for free in exchange for taking care of the owners’ chickens, cats, and gardens. She spent about five hours per day managing these tasks, leaving her plenty of free time to hike and explore the region. Hennigan ate mainly eggs and vegetables from the property itself, which kept her food expenses around $11 per day. The family plans to do another house sit in France during their summer holidays this year. This portion of the trip cost Hennigan approximately $300, excluding the annual Trusted Housesitters membership fee of $240.
The Outcome of Her Four-Month Break
Hennigan’s four-month sabbatical cost just under $6,000, proving that a significant break from work is possible even with a limited budget. She was able to completely disconnect from work, despite allotting an hour every Monday to check her email inbox and a company instant message channel, where her virtual assistant shared important updates.
Hennigan is now back at work, juggling her consultancy business and a part-time role as head of remote operations for a cryptocurrency and cloud computing startup. She attributes her renewed energy and focus to her well-deserved time away.
Her experience highlights the importance of prioritizing rest, even when faced with concerns about financial security. It also demonstrates that fear can be overcome, and that building a strong support network can make a significant difference in achieving personal goals. Hennigan’s story serves as an inspiration for others looking to take a break from work, reminding us that rest is not a luxury — it’s a necessity for a fulfilling and productive life.
