Six Months Sabbatical; the Breakdown before the Breakthrough

Sabbatical

/səˈbatɪkl/

‘A sabbatical, what’s that?!’  An unexpected, but frequent puzzled response to my work status.

‘A sabbatical is an extended, intentional break from a routine job typically lasting from three months to a year during which an employee remains connected to their employer but does not perform normal work duties.’

Obviously this can also extend beyond employees to the self-employed. I started the break from my business in March 2026 and am just coming out the other side. (September 2026)

What prompted the time off?

I can track it all back to the pandemic. 2020 was challenging for all. But, same storm, different boats. In my boat was a full and busy business coaching practice, 2 primary school children, a self-employed husband and a terminally ill father-in-law 200 miles away.

Straight back to ‘normal life’ on the other side. But irrevocably changed. Full of grief, deep feelings of strain and intense thoughts of ‘what-the-hell-just-happened’. Carrying on full steam ahead, regardless. But EVERTHING HAD changed.

Come 2025, I knew something had to give. I needed the world to stop so I could get off.

Cue some therapy mixed in with coaching to plan for what was next…

It took a full year to finally reach the decision to take some time off.

However, once the decision was made, the extraction from my business felt easy.

What Clare did next!

So, what did I do with 6 months off? The original plan was to take 3 months off. Having continued to work with a handful of clients to fulfil their programmes with me, I knew I needed at least an extra 3 months of having NOTHING in my calendar.

Cue the best summer ever – no worrying about juggling work and kids, one’s day to day summer clubs drop off and collections, and the other not wasting away a summer in bed / on their phone all day. Instead, we did fun stuff or nothing at all, together.

I’ve read over 40 books, listened to a myriad of podcasts, walked miles, trained for a fast 10K, met up with friends and a university housemate I’ve not seen in 30 years, learned to ski, e-foil, watched lots of Netflix, achieved a grade 5 in piano, caught up on films that I’ve been wanting to watch for years…plus a lot of sitting around doing absolutely nothing at all. Blliiiiss!

What I learned from my sabbatical…

The biggest question being asked of me right now.

…I was doing too much.

And putting too much pressure on myself to do it. (Anyone else relate?)

Although I ‘only’ worked a 4-day week, that week was always full to the brim. Client work mixed in with hosting a podcast, a business mastermind network, networking, another mastermind group, team meetings, planning, setting and implementing strategy, an international coaching contract, LinkedIn! Combine this with twice weekly yoga, running, kids school commitments, self-care appointments, piano lesson and practice. The list goes on.

In retrospect, I never walked anywhere – I always ran. My time was so constrained – I was constantly clock watching, making every second count.

I was heading for burn out, if not already. If you’ve gotten so used to achieving all the things, all the time, how do you know when you’re in burnout?

What’s next for Meta4 Business Coaching?

So fast forward 6 months and I’m ready to come back! Only this time Meta4 Business Coaching will be different. I have nothing to prove to myself. I no longer need (or want) to do all the things. Having just delivered my inaugural ‘Fast Track Your Business’ workshop, a transformative, powerful day, I know exactly the type of work that fills me up (and importantly what doesn’t). I love coaching and business. I thrive when I’m working with business owners who are ready to create change. Those who want to make an impact, seeking a more positive work-life balance, wanting to reach new people – achieving something never done before and 100% committed to making it happen. (If this is you, maybe it’s time to reach out)

This is my happy place and everything else is superfluous…

Fancy a sabbatical from your business? Here’s how I did it… (written in Feb 2026)

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