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Sharon Chae Haver's avatar

I’ve been following you for a while and thought you were dormant - then happily, you post an update right before I launch my own Substack on this very topic of designing and taking sabbaticals! This is a great post and all the more impressive for how you got it done.

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Cécile Marion's avatar

Half dormant only!

Pregnancy did not treat me particularly well.. so I had to step away from writing for a (long) while. I’m also starting a little series on YouTube which should be fun (and more manageable around a newborn’s schedule).

Looking forward to reading you ✨

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Istiaq Mian's avatar

Cecile you are superwoman one hand typing while nursing in the middle of the night!

I sent this to my wife. We are going on sabbatical next month for 11 months. Traveling to Balkans, Turkey and then Bangladesh for the school year where we’ll put our kids in school. I think our time hits the bullet point about changing our scenery and I’m being careful not to commit to too much. Reading and writing are big to-dos and reflecting/spending time with my kids. I will keep reading your stack as well!

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Cécile Marion's avatar

Istiaq, you and your wife are the superheroes going on a nomadic sabbatical with kids!

Wishing you all a fantastic time. In a few years I’m sure you’re going to look back on this time abroad with a lot of fondness 🌱

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Bruno's avatar

Wonderful set of tips, as usual! Sharing with friends-about-to-go-on-sabbaticals too. Thank you!

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Cécile Marion's avatar

Thanks Bruno!

Share away 🫡

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Chris Blahoot's avatar

Sharing this with sabbatical-ing friends, thanks Cécile.

Curious to some day read your thoughts about sa-baby-cals and how the approach to them differs.

4 months means potential for your baby to sleep through the night. Good luck with that game-changer!

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Cécile Marion's avatar

Thanks for spreading the word, Chris!

Baby usually gives me a six-hour stretch (at least) every night, thank goodness, otherwise I probably wouldn’t have had the spaciousness to write this.

Re. sa-baby-cal (I like the pun) do you mean comparing time off work for baby vs classic sabbatical? The two experiences are SO different although both full of transformation and surprises, and requiring to let go of any expectations your past self might have had 🙈

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