Rewind back to 2020: I’d recently graduated, accepted a new job at SEARAC, moved into my first apartment in a new city, and the world had just shut down. Holding both the excitement for my personal milestones alongside the worry for my loved ones and our communities was a disorienting experience, to say the least. There was so much uncertainty and change happening around me that I became all too eager to take control where I could and reclaim some semblance of stability. For me, this meant diving headfirst into my work at SEARAC.
The momentum from that initial burst of energy did not let up for a few years after, and I felt great! I was learning a lot and contributing to an important cause while maintaining a steady work-life balance, thanks to organizational policies like our four-day work week. However, nobody can keep going indefinitely, and I eventually began to feel the need for a major break. It’s a little strange to say, but I was conflicted about being so … tired. Looking back, I think I felt almost guilty for wanting to take a break since everything was going well. I believed I had no reason to want to take an extended period of rest. But whether I was ready for it or not, my sabbatical came soon enough in 2025.
I knew going into my sabbatical that I wanted to prioritize deepening my relationship with myself, family, and friends. Connection is what helps me thrive and, in an increasingly online world, I was craving in-person togetherness. I wanted to be offline, spend time rediscovering old favorites, and explore new experiences.
So what did I do? I challenged myself to say yes to everything — to every invite and impulsive thought to try. As a risk-averse person who only likes spontaneity if I’ve planned for it, I thought this would be much harder to do than it turned out to be. Travel to a bucket list destination? Sure! Dinner with friends on a weekday? Let’s ask and see if they’re free! Themed get-together for the fun of it? Why not? I had pure freedom, and it was absolutely incredible. Hangouts with friends chatting and playing games, parties to celebrate birthdays and holidays, shopping and lunch with my mom, dates with my husband, and slow evenings with my hobbies … uninterrupted, unhurried, impromptu quality time at its best.
My sabbatical helped me grow in many unexpected ways. I learned I love to cook for others and plan group events. I learned how wonderful it is to watch my mom embrace her interests in art, history, and cute trinkets. I learned I am usually the one holding myself back, that if I only take the chance and go for it, then I’ll work things out even if the journey is unconventional. I learned I don’t need an explanation for rest and that a desire to focus on myself does not mean I’m ungrateful.
I carry these lessons with me as I enter my sixth year at SEARAC. I feel recharged and now have clarity on what sustains me through the fulfilling but sometimes difficult work that we do. It’s pausing to find joy in the everyday and unforeseen moments. It’s having more trust in myself and more confidence in my adaptability. It’s showing up for others while being open and vulnerable enough to accept help even when I don’t think I need it. And above all, especially when there are currently too many forces seeking to divide us, it’s being intentional with cultivating community.
Phoebe Tran is SEARAC’s Operations Manager.
To learn more about SEARAC’s wellness policies, read our blog post from 2022, Creating a Culture of Community Care.
For more blogs in this year’s WorkPlace Wellness Anniversary series, see:
- Quyen Dinh: Five Years of Revolutionary Community Care