A sabbatical is a long-term break from work, usually lasting from several months to a year, taken by an employee to recharge, pursue personal or professional development, or explore new ideas and projects. Sabbaticals were originally popular in academia, where professors could take a year off every seven years for research or writing a book. Nowadays, this practice is also used in business.
According to the Big Games Industry Employment Survey 2024, only 4.5% of respondents have the option to take a sabbatical with their current employer. However, it seems that more and more people are considering a long-term break as a way to address mental health issues and recharge.
We’ve gathered several stories from our wonderful colleagues in the industry and put together a list of tips on how best to prepare for a sabbatical.
Sasha Kononenko, Recruitment Lead & Partner at Values Value: “I Realized I Had Been Playing a Game Where My Life Was My Work”
Emotional burnout was the main reason I took a sabbatical. Exhaustion had been building since the COVID-19 pandemic, and by 2022, external factors like the war in Ukraine, family members on the front lines, constant anxiety, and the gaming industry crisis made things worse. I initially thought about quitting, but we found a compromise — a summer sabbatical.
My goal was to focus on my physical and mental health and spend more time with family. The sabbatical wasn’t a relaxing break, but a period of deep self-reflection and personal growth. I worked with a therapist, read a lot, and realized my initial issues were part of a larger picture.
This time helped me rethink my approach to work. I decided to move away from the “work till you drop” mentality and focus on balance. Taking a long break was a mature decision, acknowledging that I couldn’t manage everything on my own.
After the sabbatical, I handle work stress more calmly and understand that work should not be an escape from life’s problems. Problems need to be faced, not avoided through overworking.
Leonid Soldatenko, Game Designer: “My Friends And Family Were Supportive of My Idea”
I had several key reasons for taking a sabbatical. First, I wanted to take a break from everything happening in the industry and the world. Second, I aimed to learn something new, and for that, education, books, and courses were a perfect fit. My friends and family were supportive of the idea.
The sabbatical strengthened my desire to work in game development. I want to create games that are fun for me to play and that bring joy to others.
Jane Artemova, Business Development Lead: “Relationships With Employers Are Similar to Relationships With People”
“I thought I was just tired”
I burned out gradually over the past few years. During the 2020 lockdown, the line between work and personal life blurred. I got tired of watching shows, and all that was left was work. Then, the war in Ukraine hit, adding more stress. In early 2022, I started antidepressants but didn’t connect my feelings to work because I loved my tasks, team, and company. I thought I was just tired, but vacations didn’t help, and I kept losing motivation.
In 2023, a difficult project made things worse. It was extremely tough: the negotiations were difficult, unclear, and dragged on for more than seven months. It was very stressful.
By 2024, I was completely drained, dealing with personal issues on top of everything. I couldn’t keep working but didn’t want to quit. I decided to talk openly with my manager: it didn’t feel right to be paid when I wasn’t performing at my best. My manager supported me, but a short break didn’t help. So, I asked for a sabbatical, knowing I might not return. We agreed that I’d take up to three months off and check in monthly about my state and plans. I think they let me take this break easily because I’d been with the company for five years and had contributed a lot. I’m very grateful for that.
“Relationships with employers are similar to relationships with people”
My goal was to reflect on life and work. By the end of the first month, I realized it’s best for me not to come back and start a new chapter in my career. The negative experiences, although not the company’s fault, were too much to separate from the job. Relationships with employers are similar to relationships with people — even like a marriage. You might resolve conflicts and decide to stay together, but if there’s an underlying trauma, it keeps dragging you back. Also, I realized I had stayed too long — our industry moves fast, and change is necessary for growth. In two and a half months, I realized that I love what I do. So, I’m not changing careers; I’ll just find a new employer. I’ve rested, recharged, and I’m ready to open a new door.
“Don’t be afraid to choose yourself”
Now, I’m going to interviews, and I’m enjoying it. I was asked only one question about my sabbatical: how will I prevent burnout in the future? It was a great question. I think the key to avoiding burnout is protecting your work-life balance. You need to stop yourself when you’re too passionate or overly involved in work and learn to postpone tasks. Burnout also happens when there’s a long-term mismatch between expectations and reality. Check in regularly with yourself — what do you expect from the company, and what is it actually giving you? I often idealized and romanticized what I was doing, forgetting that it’s still a business. So, set realistic expectations for both your work and your employer.
And always choose yourself. Remember that any work relationship is about mutual benefit. You get something, and the company gets something. If that win-win balance is broken, it’s time to move on — whether you quit or get fired. It’s strange to keep working when you know you’re no longer getting anything positive from it but do nothing about it. Don’t be afraid to choose yourself! There will always be better options out there.
Iryna Manukovska, VP of Innovations, XME.digital: “Sabbatical Isn’t About Taking on All the Household Chores, but About Focusing on Helping Yourself”
After four years in the service business, struggling with personal issues, burnout, and clinical depression, I was ready to quit but was offered a two-month unpaid sabbatical instead. After my break, I was asked to lead the Digital Marketing department, thinking I would feel better, but that didn’t happen. I worked for another year and then left, realizing that job wasn’t for me.
During the sabbatical, I tried to figure out what was happening with me and address personal issues. I couldn’t find a good therapist, so I dealt with everything on my own. That break was my rock bottom, but it gave me the push I needed.
I wasn’t able to rest. True rest, like taking time off in Bali, requires a financial cushion, which I didn’t have. I was renting and didn’t own property. The sabbatical became a big zoom-out — a chance to look at everything from a distance. My mindset shifted, and I realized that working in the service industry wasn’t really for me. I needed to build healthier relationships with work and cut out things in life that drained my energy without giving anything back. I reevaluated everything — my relationships, habits, and lifestyle. For example, I left my partner. This helped me regain energy and motivation to return to work.
My advice for anyone planning a sabbatical: build a financial cushion, plan for therapy or coaching, and include physical activities. You’ll also need support from your loved ones — your sabbatical isn’t about taking on all the household chores, but about focusing on helping yourself.
Lerika Mallayeva, Founder of DevGAMM: “I Wanted a Year-Long Sabbatical, But Instead Reinvented My Job And Returned to New Tasks After 6 Weeks”
How does a CEO go on sabbatical? They prepare for it for a whole year!
In the fall of 2022, my burnout became evident after 15 years of running the DevGAMM conference, where my vacations were always in “Available mode”. Feeling overwhelmed, I approached my colleague Maria, the COO, and asked if she could take over as CEO while I took a long sabbatical. She agreed, and we created a year-long transition plan that included a step-by-step transition during three conferences in Gdańsk, Vilnius, and Lisbon. By the end of 2023, we delegated about 95% of my responsibilities.
Ready to spend an entire year preparing for my sabbatical, the plan was to take at least a year off from work. Many personal circumstances piled up: the war in Ukraine, my parents moving to the U.S. with me, my father’s cancer diagnosis, plans to get a second dog, and obtaining U.S. citizenship. It became clear that spending more time with family was important, and 2024 would be a challenging year.
“I realized how much I missed work”
In January 2024, I stepped back from work completely, leaving Slack chats and disabling email forwarding. The team was informed that Maria would handle everything. The first month and a half went well; I focused on my father’s health, took a long family vacation, got a puppy, and pursued painting and cooking.
However, attending a gaming conference in February just to observe led to the realization of how much work was missed. Gradually, I began working on various projects, initially for a few hours a week, which eventually grew to about 5 hours a day as I helped with the DevGAMM Awards and private gamedev events.
“I’m thankful for my team’s support”
In the end, my sabbatical lasted a month and a half, despite a year of preparation. My role was reinvented, now focusing on exciting side projects instead of the responsibilities of a CEO. I regained my energy and passion for my work, even starting to code (of course with the help of ChatGPT 😅).
I’m thankful for my team’s support in my decision to take a sabbatical and step down. My openness about my reasons helped as well.
For anyone considering a sabbatical, having a plan is essential — both for handing over responsibilities and for what you want to accomplish during your time off. My to-do list kept me focused and reminded me of my goals. This pause helped me realize how much I love my work and my team, and it allowed me to restructure my work-life balance.
How to Prepare for and Make the Most of a Sabbatical
Based on the experiences shared in this article, here are some tips to help you plan and effectively use your sabbatical time:
- Define Your Goals and Priorities
Before starting your sabbatical, spend time reflecting on what you want to achieve. Are you looking to recharge, explore new interests, or focus on personal growth? Clear objectives will help you stay on track and make the most of your time.
- Communicate Openly with Your Employer
Approach your employer early, especially if your sabbatical requires significant preparation or responsibility transfer. Having transparent conversations can make your break smoother and ensure you have a clear path for reintegration when you return.
- Build a Financial Cushion
Financial planning is crucial for a stress-free sabbatical. Saving ahead or discussing unpaid leave options will give you peace of mind and allow you to fully focus on your break without financial pressures.
- Prioritize Mental and Physical Health
Several people in this article benefited from therapy, coaching, and physical activity during their sabbaticals. Consider budgeting for mental health support, like therapy, and incorporate regular physical exercise to maintain your well-being.
- Stay Connected with Your Support System
Having friends and family on board can provide the emotional support you need. Make it clear to them that this time is for personal renewal, not for taking on extra responsibilities at home.
- Create a Flexible Plan
While it’s important to set goals, allow yourself some flexibility. Sometimes, the most profound insights or growth opportunities come unexpectedly. A loose plan helps you stay focused yet open to whatever the sabbatical brings.
- Consider a Phased Return
If possible, plan for a phased return to work, gradually taking on responsibilities as you ease back in. This can help you retain the benefits of your break without feeling overwhelmed by the sudden transition.
- Reflect and Integrate Your Learnings
As you near the end of your sabbatical, take time to reflect on what you’ve learned. Think about how you can integrate your new insights into your everyday life and work. Regular self-checks on work-life balance, setting boundaries, and being open to change will help you sustain the benefits of your sabbatical long-term.
