How a Gap Year Can Transform Your Life and Career

Taking a sabbatical changed my life—for the better.

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In June 2018, a month after finishing my master’s degree, I packed up my classroom, returned to our apartment, and finally exhaled. I asked for a year off to travel the world—and I got it. That request turned into a fourteen-month sabbatical that transformed everything.

That fall I balanced substitute teaching for income with tutoring and babysitting in the afternoons, while planning a six-month round-the-world trip and trying to downsize our belongings. The semester flew by. We then spent six incredible months backpacking the globe before returning home.

My gap year is coming to a close.

In a few weeks I’ll return to teaching. I’ll hang posters of Spain, Argentina, and Peru in my new classroom, but this time I’ll use them to share stories with students and inspire curiosity. I’ll also be proud of everything I accomplished during my time away.

Taking a gap year was the most transformative, educational, freeing period of my life. My sabbatical was a game-changer, and below I’ll share what shifted, what I achieved, and how it changed me.

This is the aftermath of my sabbatical.

What changed? How am I different? What did I accomplish?

If you haven’t seen my earlier posts about how this gap year began, check out parts one, two, and three. Then return here to learn how a sabbatical changed everything.

How A Sabbatical Can Change Your Life

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Summer 2018

Teacher summers usually evaporate in a blink. But that summer was different—I wasn’t waiting for time off to end. I finally relaxed after five years of nonstop work. We camped in Acadia, visited family in Vermont, and hiked in Colorado. As fall approached, I settled into a new, gentler routine.

Substituting, tutoring, and nannying gave me income with far less pressure than a full-time classroom. I set my own schedule and reclaimed time for hobbies: language practice, travel reading, creating gluten-free recipes, yoga, and working on this website. I also began packing, selling items, and preparing to leave—my blog was a constant work in progress.

The Blog

I started blogging in June 2017 after a friend suggested taking a sabbatical. That sunny afternoon I pulled out my laptop, wrote down hopes and plans in a document labeled “Idea,” and took the first step. I launched a basic site called Travel Don’t Settle, learned as I went, and kept refining my focus.

Reading travel writers and taking a blogging course helped me learn WordPress, basic HTML, and how to write for an audience. With guidance, the blog evolved. Dylan suggested a new name—The Nomadic Fitzpatricks—and I switched domains. Slowly, the site began to take shape.

Quick side story: We met Matt Kepnes at a book signing in Cambridge and he signed a copy of his book for us. His work influenced my early blogging steps and encouraged me to keep learning.

The Freelance Writing Gig

As we prepared for our round-the-world trip, I shifted the blog to serve readers—practical guides, hiking tips, and advice for traveling with celiac disease. After publishing a post about gluten-free travel, I reached out to the editor of a gluten-free magazine and, after a few weeks, was invited to contribute paid monthly articles. That opportunity launched my freelance writing career.

I also connected with other bloggers and was interviewed as a local celiac expert. Each new connection bolstered my confidence and expanded my reach.

The Round the World Trip

On January 2, 2019, Dylan and I flew to Lima and started six months of full-time travel. We hiked mountains, sampled foods, met travelers from around the world, and embraced the backpacker lifestyle. The trip taught me patience, flexibility, and how to let go of control.

From missed airports to car troubles and navigating gluten-free eating in countries where celiac disease is rare, the experience forced me to adapt. I stopped worrying about others’ opinions, even walking through town in an outfit I would previously have avoided. I also pared back makeup and self-criticism, feeling more comfortable in my own skin with each passing day.

The Gluten-Free Community & Beyond

While traveling I grew my online presence, connected with gluten-free and travel communities, and continued refining my writing. My Instagram grew past 1,000 followers, and I took part in interviews and live events that boosted my visibility and confidence. With each post and article I published, my skills improved.

The Teaching Job

In mid-May 2019 I missed a call and realized I had a decision to make about returning to my school district. Throughout our travels I had changed, and I hesitated to slip back into my old routine. Hiking the Camino de Santiago at the end of May gave me space to reflect. Ultimately I chose to carry the changes home and pursue new opportunities, which led me to leave my previous district and accept a role in another one where I’d worked as a substitute.

Coming Home

“Travel is not a reward for working, it is education for living.”

After 170 days, 20 countries, and hundreds of miles of walking, we returned home. Re-entry felt odd—English sounded strange and everything felt too clean—but we enjoyed family, took a scenic road trip north, and settled into a smaller apartment. We donated, sold, and condensed our things, keeping the mindset we developed while traveling.

Life resumed: Dylan went back to work, and I focused on my blog, freelance writing, and a refreshed sense of purpose. I embraced change rather than resisting it.

The Aftermath

I’m returning to the classroom soon, but I’m not the same person who left. I’m calmer about the school year, more confident, and less affected by others’ opinions. My daily routine shifted—I’m up earlier and eager to work on the blog. My website and SEO have improved, my freelance writing continues with monthly pieces, and my social media following keeps growing.

I’ve attended my first events as a gluten-free blogger, ran a local giveaway, and continue to build momentum. Some days I compare myself to others, but then I remember where I started. Growth is gradual and rewarding.

Before the trip I had about 500 Instagram followers; months later I’ve grown significantly and continue improving my craft. I feel like anything is possible and I’m excited to pursue both teaching and writing. For now, Dylan and I are taking life one day at a time, embracing uncertainty and opportunity.

If you’re considering a career break or a change in routine, try taking one small step in a new direction. Change is scary, but it’s also where growth happens. Nothing changes if nothing changes.

-Jen

Have you ever taken a sabbatical?

Would you consider taking one, and why?

Let me know in the comments!