| Career Breaks 15:28 - Jun 13 with 1924 views | Churchman |
Have you ever taken one?
If so what did you do with your time?
Did you find it easy to get another job?
Did you change careers? |  | | |  |
| Career Breaks on 15:35 - Jun 13 with 1644 views | Benters |
Well yes but that wasn’t through choice but an illness and I won’t bore you with the details.
Basically one day I was in the building trade,wallop gone! The next day I was a gardener.
Thank you and good day. |  |
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| Career Breaks on 15:38 - Jun 13 with 1601 views | bsw72 |
Yes.
Recovered from a breakdown, walked, cycled, gardened, about 8 months in total, of which 3 was gardening leave.
Wouldn’t say easy but not hard either, got a decent CV and experience behind me.
No, slight change of industry but not career. |  | | |
| Career Breaks on 15:56 - Jun 13 with 1491 views | Durovigutum |
Yes. In 2004 we decided to sell our house in South London, which we’d bought 4 years earlier as a “project”, and go travelling for a year. Year became six months due to circumstances but we put 20K aside and went Kenya, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Australia and Hong Kong.
Came back, moved to another part of England, both found and started new jobs within a couple of months.
I would recommend the same to everyone. Fabulous experience. Since then we’ve chosen not to spend lavishly on cars and houses but to try and take August off and have real family time. That’s been trips to Aus, hiring a motor home and driving around Devon/Cornwall, big camping trips.
Aim now is to semi-retire in 2032, go watch the summer olympics in Brisbane then wiggle up through the far east visiting places like Thailand, Vietnam, Korea and Japan. Did China back in 2007 and am keen to go back again. I may go back to work part time when we get back, or not, depends if I’d have enough saved as I’d only be 59. |  | | |
| Career Breaks on 16:09 - Jun 13 with 1440 views | mutters |
Lots, I've never gone job to job and always tried to take time out in-between roles. Reason being is that I'd rather do the things I've wanted to do with my life when I am young and able than waiting until retirement and have no knees and no back.
When I was on my 20s and 30s (pre kids), I spent my time backpacking and travelling. More recently it's been about being present for the kids (being able to do school run and be there when they get home etc) and just doing stuff that I want and purse personal projects and interests.
Previously no problems getting a job, this time I am now setting up my own company, so not looking for normal job roles. Friends have said its tough out there at the moment
It's not everyone's strategy but for me it's how I want my life to be. I suspect I will retire later than I would like but still planning to stop when I am 62. [Post edited 13 Jun 16:11]
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| Career Breaks on 16:16 - Jun 13 with 1404 views | Churchman |
| Career Breaks on 16:09 - Jun 13 by mutters |
Lots, I've never gone job to job and always tried to take time out in-between roles. Reason being is that I'd rather do the things I've wanted to do with my life when I am young and able than waiting until retirement and have no knees and no back.
When I was on my 20s and 30s (pre kids), I spent my time backpacking and travelling. More recently it's been about being present for the kids (being able to do school run and be there when they get home etc) and just doing stuff that I want and purse personal projects and interests.
Previously no problems getting a job, this time I am now setting up my own company, so not looking for normal job roles. Friends have said its tough out there at the moment
It's not everyone's strategy but for me it's how I want my life to be. I suspect I will retire later than I would like but still planning to stop when I am 62. [Post edited 13 Jun 16:11]
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Well done you. It sounds like you are making your life as opposed to it making you or just drifting through it. That requires strength of mind, determination and a lot of good things👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻. | | | |
| Career Breaks on 16:26 - Jun 13 with 1370 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
Yes, when the world went mad!
Done a few long road trips, went to multiple national parks, spent a lot of time outside by the ocean after years of being in the city, traveling for work and in an office. Even moved to a few new parts of the country for a brief spell.
Then I went back to work like it never happened. [Post edited 13 Jun 16:27]
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| Career Breaks on 16:36 - Jun 13 with 1285 views | Churchman |
| Career Breaks on 16:26 - Jun 13 by Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
Yes, when the world went mad!
Done a few long road trips, went to multiple national parks, spent a lot of time outside by the ocean after years of being in the city, traveling for work and in an office. Even moved to a few new parts of the country for a brief spell.
Then I went back to work like it never happened. [Post edited 13 Jun 16:27]
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How interesting. You have never lost the experience of those travelling experiences - I presume. I hope not. | | | |
| Career Breaks on 16:45 - Jun 13 with 1248 views | Ftnfwest |
I wish |  | | |
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| Career Breaks on 16:50 - Jun 13 with 1243 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Career Breaks on 16:36 - Jun 13 by Churchman |
How interesting. You have never lost the experience of those travelling experiences - I presume. I hope not. |
After moving countries at a young age, I do spend a lot of holidays days going to back to the UK visit family. So so it was a great opportunity to see some of the natural beauty of the US. Zion and Glacier were my favorites. The star gazing in Utah was amazing. Got fit hiking as well. Was nice to have the laptop shut for a year.
Ticked off loads of remote states on my road trips as well. Interestingly it’s quite wholesome following some Europeans on social media during the same at the moment for the World Cup through the South. Unmatched hospitality. [Post edited 13 Jun 16:50]
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| Career Breaks on 16:54 - Jun 13 with 1215 views | TractorWood |
| Career Breaks on 16:50 - Jun 13 by Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
After moving countries at a young age, I do spend a lot of holidays days going to back to the UK visit family. So so it was a great opportunity to see some of the natural beauty of the US. Zion and Glacier were my favorites. The star gazing in Utah was amazing. Got fit hiking as well. Was nice to have the laptop shut for a year.
Ticked off loads of remote states on my road trips as well. Interestingly it’s quite wholesome following some Europeans on social media during the same at the moment for the World Cup through the South. Unmatched hospitality. [Post edited 13 Jun 16:50]
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I went to Colorado a few years ago and stayed in the mountains at the foot of the Pikes Peak. It was an unbeatable break.
I not had a career break per se. I've been lucky in that my bosses have been great in the past and given me a paid month off after huge projects.
Tbh after a month I start to feel a bit useless and need to get back into work. |  |
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| Career Breaks on 17:02 - Jun 13 with 1193 views | bluelagos |
15 years ago I had to leave Nigeria in a hurry after uncovering a fraud that the CEO was involved in. Negotiated an exit with 6 months salary (my notice period), taxes paid and an NDA.
First time I went to South America, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Macha Pichu, and all bits in between on a hippy bus.
Lined up a similar job starting 7 months later. Really nice to travel and not have a care in the world regarding work. [Post edited 13 Jun 21:08]
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| Career Breaks on 18:04 - Jun 13 with 1011 views | J2BLUE |
i took 6 weeks off between my last job and this one.
I now work 32 hours, 4 days a week so have far less need for an extended break. |  | | |
| I took a six month sabbatical.... on 18:09 - Jun 13 with 994 views | Bloots |
....5 years ago.
I'm still on it.
Rock 'n roll. |  |
| "....a smegma of a man” - TWTD User (Apr 2026) |
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| Career Breaks on 18:28 - Jun 13 with 948 views | itfckenty |
Yeah I did, I was about 23 at the time, was in Architecture for 5 years and hated the place so much it made me detest the role, left, went and worked in retail for about 2 years, got cancer and then decided to get back into it... Haha! Never looked back and I've been here 15 years. [Post edited 13 Jun 18:30]
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| Career Breaks on 18:43 - Jun 13 with 908 views | Swansea_Blue |
I’m 17 months into a short(?) break. Liking it too much to go back, but we’re lucky as we both had half decently paid jobs and my better half still enjoys working. So she earns the cash and I do the house stuff and sort out the kids. The eldest is off to uni in the autumn, so I’m just making the most of it. It’s hard work being a housewife with two teenagers!
I took a break to go and live in the US, but work kept my job open for me. I left a job and moved to be be with the missus and had a gap of a couple of years. I did a bit of consultancy before I found anything else, but mostly spent about 18 months with our first kid, just as they were becoming a toddler.
So all my breaks have been to spend more time with the family, but I’d love to have no responsibilities and go off travelling for a year. |  |
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| Career Breaks on 19:55 - Jun 13 with 814 views | Churchman |
Thank you for these. It’s really interesting how different peoples lives have panned out. No two the same really. | | | |
| Career Breaks on 20:08 - Jun 13 with 790 views | Guthrum |
I broke my career quite early, by flunking exams, dropping out of college and drinking too much. Turned out ok in the end. |  |
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| Career Breaks on 20:12 - Jun 13 with 767 views | Churchman |
| Career Breaks on 20:08 - Jun 13 by Guthrum |
I broke my career quite early, by flunking exams, dropping out of college and drinking too much. Turned out ok in the end. |
What did you do to turn it round? | | | |
| Career Breaks on 21:00 - Jun 13 with 670 views | stuyarmouthblue |
Yes. I'd worked for the same organisation for 17 years and the role I was in had gradually changed for the worse. It was leaving me exhausted mentally. I gave longer notice then I needed, had several leaving dos and left on good terms with nothing to go to.
I then took time to think what I wanted out of life and a career. I spent quality time with friends and decided what I wanted.
A few months later, I applied for jobs in a different field and received interviews. One led to the job I did until we lost the contract. At the successful interview, they asked about the gap on my record and I explained I wanted time out.
Taking those few months out was one of the best decisions of my life. It helped me enormously |  | | |
| Career Breaks on 21:11 - Jun 13 with 636 views | Freddies_Ears |
I never had the opportunity to take a career break; I'm older and was very much career-driven, but I would tell the OP to just go for the break!"
That said, like a few others on this thread, I quit age 52, and am now 12 years into a busy, fulfilling & fun "retirement". Lots of voluntary & charity work, for causes I want to help, from ITFC and our wonderful Foundation, through a dog charity, and sponsoring in various ways several younger /up & coming musicians. The slippers, garden shed & daytime TV can wait. | | | |
| Career Breaks on 21:12 - Jun 13 with 638 views | Guthrum |
| Career Breaks on 20:12 - Jun 13 by Churchman |
What did you do to turn it round? |
Took a number of years, but sorted my mental health out, did a number of jobs before becoming self-employed (with a 5-year break working for a charity consultancy in the early 2000s). | |
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| Career Breaks on 21:15 - Jun 13 with 626 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Career Breaks on 21:11 - Jun 13 by Freddies_Ears |
I never had the opportunity to take a career break; I'm older and was very much career-driven, but I would tell the OP to just go for the break!"
That said, like a few others on this thread, I quit age 52, and am now 12 years into a busy, fulfilling & fun "retirement". Lots of voluntary & charity work, for causes I want to help, from ITFC and our wonderful Foundation, through a dog charity, and sponsoring in various ways several younger /up & coming musicians. The slippers, garden shed & daytime TV can wait. |
Sounds great. I haven’t got to that stage yet, I’m still adjusting and in the ‘crap, what do I do now?’ phase! | |
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| Career Breaks on 21:35 - Jun 13 with 595 views | Freddies_Ears |
I never had the opportunity to take a career break; I'm older and was very much career-driven, but I would tell the OP to just go for the break!"
That said, like a few others on this thread, I quit age 52, and am now 12 years into a busy, fulfilling & fun "retirement". Lots of voluntary & charity work, for causes I want to help, from ITFC and our wonderful Foundation, through a dog charity, and sponsoring in various ways several younger /up & coming musicians. The slippers, garden shed & daytime TV can wait. | | | |
| Career Breaks on 22:00 - Jun 13 with 578 views | Churchman |
| Career Breaks on 21:35 - Jun 13 by Freddies_Ears |
I never had the opportunity to take a career break; I'm older and was very much career-driven, but I would tell the OP to just go for the break!"
That said, like a few others on this thread, I quit age 52, and am now 12 years into a busy, fulfilling & fun "retirement". Lots of voluntary & charity work, for causes I want to help, from ITFC and our wonderful Foundation, through a dog charity, and sponsoring in various ways several younger /up & coming musicians. The slippers, garden shed & daytime TV can wait. |
Well done you. Hats off to you for what you do. I did actually have a career break, so I’m rather more interested in yours and others’ experiences which are so varied. A good thing.
Me? Well despite being well educated and as lazy as hell, I got involved in certain things before getting sucked into a really boring job in the banking world. I sort of progressed with it and persevered partially because I got into a really good social life. But I was as bored as hell. They offered redundancy so I took it. Mrs C was a teacher so there was a steady income anyway.
I did day rate contract work, projects and stuff and got an analysts job at a IT company. I loved it there and went into product managing. I worked with some amazing people all of which were cleverer than me! Loved the challenge of a cut and thrust cutting edge world, despite working away a lot which I hated.
The job ended after a few years and I then took a career break. Eight months and adored every minute. Did a bit of charity stuff here and there but basically I was born to loaf. But after 5 months and the middle of the year I felt I needed a job. Any job. I didn’t care. One day I saw an ad for the Civil Service.
God forbid thought I. Why work with those dull dimwits? But I wound up doing so and finished doing project work on some mega high profile stuff. It was demanding and fascinating but I always intended to finish by 60 and did so by a month. I only stayed that long because deluded fools kept promoting me and giving me more money.
But I wish I’d finished two years before, before the work I did on Brexit. I met some fantastic people and did some fascinating stuff though.
Lessons? I became afraid to leave the first long term job I had despite hating it. If you are not happy, do something about it. People will tell you it’s scary out there. No it’s not. There’s always opportunities. Confidence is everything.
Career breaks? If you get a chance, take one or two. Highly recommended if you can. They give you perspective and a proper view of things. Don’t work longer years than you have to unless it’s a vocation or something you truly love. A year working is a year less to have fun. [Post edited 13 Jun 22:01]
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| Career Breaks on 22:08 - Jun 13 with 546 views | Hugoagogo_Reborn |
I've never had the financial circumstances to take a career break, but I did take an amazing opportunity to live and work in Paris when I was in my early twenties. A brilliant learning experience working abroad and I would recommend it to anyone. It kinda felt like a working holiday. Lots of fun. [Post edited 13 Jun 22:28]
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