andrew.hedges.name / blog

#segdehabbatical

20 August 2015 · Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Call me crazy. I quit what was in many ways a dream job at The Cupertino Fruit Company to take 6 months off to recharge, reset, and reassess what’s next. I’m 2 months in. Let’s take stock of how it’s going, shall we?

One way to take stock would be just to send you to this and let you judge for yourself: #segdehabbatical

But, that would be cheating. So, instead, let’s start with a review of the highlights to-date….

In short, I have had a series of great experiences that I would not have had I been toiling away at my day job this whole time. For that, I am so grateful. It is a privilege to be in a position where I can take this time for myself.

Still, I can’t help but feel a little antsy a third of the way through my time off. I’m feeling the need to start turning my attention to the growing list of ideas and projects on the whiteboard in my apartment. I know I’ll be in Portland, Oregon, by the end of the year. I just don’t yet know what I’ll be doing for work. Time to figure that out!

After I spend spend a few days in Austin next week, that is….

Update: November 3, 2015

I’m back to share what I’ve been up to over the 10½ weeks since I first posted this. TL;dr: More travel, plus adventures closer to home, and the beginnings of me poking my head up to survey possibilities in the world of the working.

In addition to the above, for the last 5 weeks or so, I’ve been doing some freelance web development work. It’s been challenging in some ways being an individual contributor again after having been a manager for the last 5 years. But, I’ve learned a ton and am able to tick off as completed another of the goals I set for myself when I started this whole sabbatical thing.

What comes next? Good question. The goal all along has been to be in Portland, Oregon, by the end of the year. That’s fast approaching, so that will be probably my main focus over the next couple of months. Once I’m there, I’m still not sure what I’m going to do. And that’s…OK.

Update: December 12, 2015

Exactly 6 months after I left Apple, I hereby declare #segdehabbatical over. Nothing really changes tomorrow, it’s just that it’ll be called “life” instead of “sabbatical.” The last 5½ weeks have been eventful, as has the whole 6 months.

I wish I had some deep revelations to reveal here after my 6 month break. The time has flown by, to be honest, so maybe insight will come with a little more time to process it all. One thing I didn’t realize is how many people I know have done something similar. I’ve heard many tales of purpose-full breaks of 3 months to a year or more from folks I didn’t expect to have taken that leap.

We only get one shot at this life, so I applaud anyone who can and does take some time to slow down and reassess. You can’t focus on what’s important to you if you don’t take time to figure out what it is!

Valerie and I are now busily packing up our little apartment for the move north. We roll out on 12/31, so time’s a wastin’ if you want to get together. Hit us up! Otherwise, we’ll see you in Portland when you come to visit! 😉

All photos © Andrew Hedges 2015. All rights reserved.
Image gallery code available on Github.