In the end, if you can afford it and your employer’s on board, taking a sabbatical is always a brilliant idea. Whatever your age.
And of course, how you choose to spend it is completely up to you. Travelling, volunteering, giving your home or garden a makeover, writing that book, doing absolutely nothing—or a bit of everything. There are no rules. The anticipation and planning alone are already half the fun.
I took my first sabbatical at 40. And it was amazing. I did everything I’d always dreamed of doing.
I went back to uni, lived in London, and travelled solo around (half) the world. At the end of my trip, I met up with the man of my choice in Buenos Aires, and we travelled through Peru together—including the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It honestly couldn’t have gone better.
After that, we moved in together, which worked out surprisingly well, especially considering it was my very first time living with a partner (flatshares with housemates don’t count!). Returning to work was a breeze, and I even remember being genuinely excited to get back—refreshed, recharged and full of new ideas.
That sabbatical was a dream come true in every way.
Now, at 50, it feels a bit like déjà vu—but with a slightly different twist.
In my view, a post-50 sabbatical comes with a whole host of advantages:
- At 50, you’re usually established in your career. You know your worth—and so does your employer, which makes negotiating your time off much easier. I always recommend full transparency and working out the details of your exit and return with everyone involved. Plus, by this point, you know that work and ambition aren’t everything—and that life has so much more to offer, if you’re brave enough to go after it.
- You’re independent. The kids are grown, you’ve chosen not to have any, or you’re simply waiting until they’ve flown the nest. Sure, it’s possible to take a sabbatical with little ones or juggle homeschooling on the go—but the real freedom of a sabbatical, in my opinion, comes when you can focus purely on your own wants and needs.
- You’ve either got enough money—or you know how to live well with what you have, which is essentially the same thing.
- You’re confident enough to travel solo or spend long stretches of time abroad doing your own thing. And your partner (if you’ve got one) is cool enough to let you go without drama. Same goes—if you’re lucky—for your parents, who are proud of you rather than worried sick.
- With a bit of luck, you’re still fit enough to tick off those bucket list adventures. Sure, you might still manage Kilimanjaro at 70—but let’s be honest, your chances are better now.
- You’ve learnt to be laid-back enough to let go when things don’t go to plan. COVID ruins your itinerary? You adapt. You swallow a bit more seawater than intended while kitesurfing? Lying on the beach is just as lovely. There’s no more pressure to go higher, faster, stronger. You do you.
Millennials have paved the way for a fresh conversation in the boardroom. Company cars, fast promotions, showing up in a suit… no longer the goalposts. What matters now is work-life balance—and the freedom to take a break in your late 20s or become a digital nomad, blending work and travel seamlessly.
There’s a lot we can learn from them.
And at the same time, I’m realising just how wonderful a 50plus sabbatical can be—with the financial ease and calm confidence that this stage of life (for me) brings.
Travel in style over 50: 5 things that are never missing from my packing list