7 Lessons From Year One of My Writer’s Sabbatical

It’s hard to believe, but October 1st marked one year since I left my job to rewrite my novel – and my life. Below are seven lessons I’ve learned during my writer’s sabbatical.

2) People are Inspired by Others Taking Risks

One of the coolest things about this whole journey has not just been getting to do what I love. It’s been how vulnerable people get when I share my story. So many friends and acquaintances have shared with me opportunities they didn’t pursue, dreams they’d like to follow, or a yearning to find something they’re passionate about. And even complete strangers are wowed when they hear my story.

The funny thing is I don’t think I’ve done anything amazing. It was gutsy, sure. But I’m entirely convinced that we’re all capable of making significant changes in our lives – that means you! It just takes passion, motivation, and a bit of planning. I have never been a brave person, so that’s not the secret ingredient. Faith definitely helps – in yourself and in a higher power in your corner.

3) Some Things Are Gone Forever – And That’s Okay

Last October I was cautiously optimistic that once I turned off all the noise of my previous job, I would remember all the wonderful writing that I’d tragically lost during my computer melt down. Alas, that wasn’t the case. Although I remembered some general plot points, there was plenty of fun banter, interesting details, and improved scenes that I never recalled.

That stinks, but it’s okay. The eighteen months of writing I’d lost was a worthwhile sacrifice for the improvements I made in the past year. Anyone who rewrites their life is going to have to give some things up. That might be the certainty of where your next paycheck will come from or some creature comfort, like your cable or the ability to travel whenever you want. It might be the close relationships you have at your current job. I left without seeing some projects completed, and I miss the folks who were such an important part of my life for years.

Yet the new lifestyle I’ve forged, and the potential futures I’ve opened up for myself, make up for every loss.

4) Contentment > Money

I nearly titled #4: I Don’t Need to Live in a Constant State of Anxiety. I was good at both my previous jobs, and there were many things about them I enjoyed. But they were both high stress positions with bottomless inboxes, endless to-do lists, and never-ending meetings. I cared about what I was doing. I cared a lot. So I internalized the need to go, go, go and was basically in a constant state of overwhelm. For roughly twelve years.

It paid my bills, and I spent money to self-sooth whenever I needed to, which was basically whenever I found the time. I wasn’t healthy, physically or mentally.

Even though I’ve spent the majority of my life allergic to risk, and I left a sure thing for a long shot that’s practically guaranteed to involve tons of rejection, I have never been so calm – at least not since I was old enough to know what anxiety is. Yes, there are moments that I still feel stressed – especially when I’m balancing freelance deadlines with novel concerns. But it barely compares to the constant pressure I used to be under.

Sometimes I do worry about money, and I have to be careful about my spending in a way I wasn’t a year ago. But I’m extraordinarily more content controlling how I spend my time and doing something I love everyday than I ever was when I had enough money to buy what I wanted, and little time to enjoy it.

5) Habits are Easier When You’re Doing Something You Like

My next blog post will probably be about my writing routine, but here’s a little teaser. Lots of people are impressed that I have the discipline to write everyday when there’s no one holding me accountable. The truth is that’s easy, because I want to go and write everyday. I’d rather work on my novel than do anything else – that’s why I left my job. And that’s how I know this is the right path for me.

But there is some accountability, even if it’s self generated. I know that I only have so much money saved away, and if I’m paying for a coworking space I better go and use it. There’s also you – and everyone else I know – who’s watching to see what comes of my little adventure. I never wanted to tell everyone, “Yeah, I quit my job for a year and didn’t even finish my novel.”

I am not, by any means, a guru at starting new habits or even that great at self discipline. I have been trying since high school to get more sleep, and after a year with no valid excuses I’m only marginally improved. I’m chronically just a bit late, and that may have gotten worse now that I don’t have a boss to chide me for that.

But my daily writing routine isn’t a chore – it’s a privilege.

6) Be Open to Opportunities and They’ll Come Your Way

In another future post I’ll talk about what happened when I hit my six month mark and had to analyze how this whole process was going. The short version is I started looking for some freelance writing work to provide income to supplement my savings.

Except looking isn’t even the right word. Because before I started searching people approached me to ask if I would write for them. This happened over and over again. Many connections came from my coworking space. A few came from my previous careers. Some opportunities seemed great but didn’t materialize. Others yielded more than I ever thought they would.

Why is this happening? I can’t say exactly, but I have faith that there’s a great Author plotting my story the same way I’m plotting my characters’. I’m also putting myself out there, telling others what I’m doing and what my skills are. And when someone presents an opportunity, I’m not too busy or distracted or disheartened to consider it.

7) This Isn’t a Sabbatical

It feels odd now to refer to this time as a sabbatical, because I decided at that six month analysis – and honestly long before that – that I don’t want this to be temporary. My goal is to make my writer’s lifestyle permanent. I don’t know how long it will take to get published or how successful my novel will be. But I know there’s freelance writing work I can do to pay my bills until I get my big break. I can’t imagine going back to a traditional job anytime soon. That option will always be there if circumstances change. But I’m nowhere near the end of this journey.