Reflections on a Sabbatical

For most of my career, the idea of a sabbatical felt distant, something associated with academic life rather than with engineering and industrial operations.

Yet when viewed over the span of a full career, a sabbatical represents a very small pause. Even a year away from work is roughly 1% of a professional life. And yet that short interval can create space for reflection that is difficult to achieve during the normal pace of professional responsibilities.

A series of circumstances made the decision possible. The conclusion of a long professional chapter, a natural break between school years, and our children reaching an age where a large family adventure still felt possible.

We decided to take that opportunity.

The sabbatical became not only a break from work, but a break from routines and geography. Our family travelled across Australia over several months, exploring remote landscapes and national parks while maintaining small daily routines such as music practice and reading.

The journey required more preparation than one might initially expect: vehicles, equipment, budgets, safety considerations, schooling transitions, and a loose plan for what might come next. But beyond logistics, the experience also created time for reflection and conversation about personal goals, family priorities, and future directions.

Many of the challenges involved planning, decision-making, and adaptability — skills that are familiar from professional life, but experienced in a different context.

Looking back, I remain grateful that the opportunity appeared, and even more grateful that we chose to take it.

Experiences like this often provide perspective that is difficult to obtain while immersed in day-to-day professional work.

A few moments from that journey can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/reddustjourney/