Sabbatical Canceled, now what?
My name is Mishana Sturdivant and I own Tad Bit Rad Travels. The purpose of this blog is to empower my readers to travel efficiently and unapologetically by sharing tips, recommendations and stories. For my 30th birthday, I planned to take a sabbatical to travel around the world. Those plans were challenged by my company. Here’s how I worked through the adversity. Enjoy.
I was planning THE ultimate 6-month trip around the world until my manager declined my personal leave. I triple-checked my company’s benefits and policies. I prepared a coverage plan for my absence. I counter-offered an alternative that was beneficial to both my company and me. My manager and director entertained it for a while but ultimately declined it. They made it clear that they support my travels around the world, but I would have to give up my spot on the team. So, I made alternate plans.
I’m insistent on having a life centered around travel. I have no intention of giving up the travel experiences that I’ve planned for the last few months. There’s no way. Planning a week in Okinawa, island hopping, exploring the southern beach towns and safaris of Sri Lanka, or eating through Mexico City, I’m not going to give it up. These travel plans motivated me to push on at work despite this country’s chaos and explore my city of DC before leaving. But do I leave my company?
I work in technology sales. This career has afforded me the privilege of working from anywhere. It has afforded me the best work-life balance. My career has afforded me trips to the Caribbean islands, Asian food halls, Scandinavian waterfalls, Mediterranean beaches, and African vineyards. My career has allowed me to own and sell my first home, have consistent healthcare, and pursue my entrepreneurial goals. My life was forever changed the moment I decided to attend that job fair during my senior year in college. I’m not ready to take the risk of leaving this comfort to travel on a fixed budget.
I’ve decided to come up with an alternate plan. This alternate plan will allow me to keep my job but still travel. I considered traveling full-time for 6 months and changing destinations less often than originally planned. 2 weeks here, 2 weeks there. This would allow less interruption and more time to explore each city slowly. Instead of 30+ countries in 6 months, I was looking at 12. Which is not that bad. I’m only 30, I can always travel to the other countries later. But then I realized, I had to check in with my company on travel limitations with company assets. What if I get all the way across the world and my work laptop shuts off or my access to my necessary applications is blocked? This changed everything for me! I immediately contacted my HR department to learn more about my company’s international travel policies. Now, I feel more prepared, educated, and in compliance with my company.
Currently, I’m nearing the end of my condo’s lease here in DC. I’m finalizing the first few months of my trip around the world. I’m preparing for this move out of this lively city by traveling for a few weeks non-stop every month for the next 6 months. I’m excited to take you all with me as I balance my career and my global exploration. I was riding down 14th street in DC proper and was thinking to myself, “Wow these last few years went by so fast. I can’t believe it’s already time to say goodbye”. I’m going to miss the delicious restaurant scene, the beautiful mix of black and brown people, the walkable towns of Del-Ray, Alexandria, and downtown, Arlington, the free museums, the brunch and day parties, the waterfront views, and shopping in Georgetown. I know I will be back but it’s time for me to get the hell out of America and see the rest of the world on my terms. You’re welcome to follow along for the ride!
