Q&A: Taking a Sabbatical as a Veterinarian
These are the most common questions I’ve been asked.
Day 25 at a Glance
Good morning from my outdoor office. I’m getting started a lil earlier than normal today because I’ve had 2 cups of coffee. ☕️ The coffee is outstanding here. Have you had kona coffee? It’s strong and it’s sharp, in the best way. This past weekend Ash and I visited Holualoa, an up-and-coming adorable little coffee town in the mountains above Kona. We’re currently sipping White Nene. It’s a Kona blend with Guatemalan beans (Guatemala coffee is my FAV). 10/10!
Q&A
I’m a veterinarian taking a sabbatical. I hadn’t previously met a veterinarian who had done such a thing. However, I have friends in other industries who have taken gap years, breaks, and traveled the world. After initially posting about my sabbatical, I met a few vets who also took a sabbatical. And they were over the moon happy to share about their experiences! I’ve been on mine for 25 days. Here’s the questions I’ve had so far.
“How do you manage finances?”
Ash and I began saving for a sabbatical several months in advance. I’m taking 2 full months unpaid from my job (August and September). I worked my July shifts in the first half of the month and will work October shifts the second half of the month. It’s also worth noting that my husband is still working. He owns his location-independent financial planning business for vets. So, we’re dinks living out the benefits of a dink lifestyle. For now.
We generally follow this sentiment from Ramit Sethi “Spend lavishly on what you love, save ruthlessly on what you don’t.” Here’s the details:
Save ruthlessly: we own a tiny condo with <$1,000 mortgage and fees, I drive a 15 year old car, we don’t have kids yet (home, car, kids = some of the biggest expenses out there)
Spend lavishly: I’m still paying $2,000/month for my business coach because I value inspirational work, we booked 3 nights at Four Seasons on Lanai because we value self-care and travel
These are obviously very personal and unique to me and Ash. My advice is to identify what’s most important to you and don’t feel shame about that.
“How did your job take it?”
I work as a veterinarian on VEG’s travel team. I chose the travel team because I’m additive on that team. I’m helpful when I pick up shifts, but I’m generally not putting anyone in a tough situation by being gone. A sabbatical or break is not a formal benefit. However, VEG is awesome at providing flexibility. My advice here is to consider the responsibility you leave behind thoughtfully. It’s why many people take sabbaticals in between job changes.
“How long are you taking off?”
I chose to take 3 months off. For Ash and I, this felt achievable for a few reasons. The biggest one being financial. Taking a longer period of time off felt like more of an uncomfortable stretch as far as finances go.
“Are you in Hawaii the whole time?”
No, we’re in Hawaii (my favorite place in the world) for two months. We wanted to see what it would be like to live here seasonally or for a few years. My last month of sabbatical will be in Italy with family because one of my values is family time.
“Why are you taking a break?”
A few reasons.
We want to see what it’s like to live in Hawaii because we’re considering doing it seasonally or for a few years.
We want to have kids. Ash and I want to have a few months to get centered before that.
I want to pursue other interests. I want to write daily and explore my creative interests outside of practicing ER vet med.
“How are you spending your weeks?”
I decided (with my coach) to bring healthy structure to my sabbatical. I’m ‘sampling’ what it’s like to work for myself and work the way I work best. M-F I write daily. I generally work from about 10a-4p, sometimes more and sometimes less. I get to work from inspirational coffee shops, hotels, or outside. After writing, I share my work. Then I work on The Evolved Vets and a few other commitments I have.
“Are you burnt out?”
No, I'm not burnt out. But I am craving a break, recentering myself, and a pivot. My value of inspirational work means that I want to be lit up by what I’m doing. When I sense that light dimming, which it had been for the past 2 years, I know I need to make a change. This is me making change. When I’m lit up by work, I get lost and absorbed in it, like I have been here 😍.
“What will you do when you come back?”
First, I can’t wait to see my best friend Theresa and her new baby :). Second, I already have my second half of October ER shifts scheduled. Workwise, I’ll be looking to strike the right balance between working ER shifts and exploring creative pursuits. My commitment is 10 shifts/month. I’d love to be able to commit to 6-8 a month instead because it’s more sustainable for what I currently desire, especially as I plan for being a mom. However, benefits are important to us now so 10 it is.
Happy to answer any other questions. I hope this can be helpful to even one other vet. Taking a break is always an option, especially before burning out or leaving the field.
Toodles 🩵🤙
