A Journey Back To Myself: Reflections from My Sabbatical

Dr Amirtham
Sabbatical Dates: 1st October 2025 - 28th February 2026

My sabbatical was a very meaningful and valuable time in my life. During these five months, from 01.10.2025 to 28.02.2026, I was able to slow down, reflect deeply, and reconnect with myself. It became a time of spiritual transformation, personal growth, and renewed energy before returning to my responsibilities.

One of the most special parts of my sabbatical was traveling to the holy place of Adhi Kailash. This journey was not only a travel experience for me, but also a personal spiritual journey. Being in that sacred place, surrounded by nature, gave me a deep sense of peace and helped me reconnect with my inner self. Walking in nature, spending time in silence, and experiencing the beauty around me brought a fresh sense of energy and calmness into my life.

During this period, I also moved from office accommodation to an individual house. This change gave me more independence, comfort, and happiness. I could organize my day according to my own wishes, prepare my own food, and live with a peaceful routine. My days became simple and balanced. I spent time in meditation twice a day, reading self-healing and personal development books, reading newspapers, watching films, and chatting with friends. These small but meaningful activities helped me relax, reflect, and rejuvenate mentally and physically.

This sabbatical also became a time of important reflection. Looking back on my 23 years of personal and professional life, I realized that while I had given much of my time and energy to work and responsibilities, I had not given enough time to my own body, health, and wellbeing. I began to ask myself how I could create a better balance between my professional commitments and my personal life. This reflection gave me clarity about the importance of physical health, mental peace, and spiritual wellbeing.

The memory that has stayed with me most strongly is the peace I felt through daily meditation and gratitude. Every day, I spent quiet time in prayer and reflection, thanking God for this opportunity. At the same time, this period was not without struggle. One challenge was changing my old routines. In silence, many past memories came back to me—both good and bad. But this also became part of my healing. Through the sabbatical, I learned to forgive, let go of negative thoughts, and move forward with greater awareness and inner strength.

This experience inspired me in many ways. I now want to make self-care and wellbeing a regular part of my life, and I also hope to support others in this journey.

One of my goals is to help create a wellbeing centre in our office to support women and mothers of special children, so they too can experience the happiness and inner strength that I found during my sabbatical. I also returned with a sense of rest, emotional balance, and clarity of thought. This has encouraged me to strengthen second-line leadership in our organization, take better care of my own wellbeing, and make space for the younger generation to come forward and serve society.

Overall, my sabbatical was a beautiful and life-giving experience. It gave me rest, renewed my energy, deepened my spiritual life, and strengthened my relationships with family and friends. It reminded me that taking time for oneself is not a luxury, but a necessity. My message to anyone planning a sabbatical is simple: use the time for self-realization, healing, and planning your future wellbeing. It can become one of the most meaningful journeys of your life.