Periodical break is needed to rejuvenate our body and mind

Meenakshi Pethanan
Sabbatical Dates: 15th February 2025 - 15th June 2025

Immediately after my post graduation in social  work (MSW)  in 2012  I had an opportunity to join  as District Coordinator for Childline India Foundation (1098) in Ramanathapuram district of Tamilnadu. From that time  till this  2025 my life was  hectic and   mechanical  in nature, always trying to meet targets and  schedules. This  opportunity opened a  new  vista  for  me to care about my  wellbeing and  allowed me to rest and  relax.

My  sabbatical started with briefing the second line leadership on what to do and what not to do in my sabbatical  leave, then  I made a  tentative plan on  the places  to be visited and whom to contact for logistic support.

Later I communicated to them (mostly  from  friends of Development sector and few college mates). 
Initially I  went to the well known  Ayurvedic  centre  of Ramnad and then to an Ayurvedic  centre in Kerala  for my treatment. It took nearly 20 days. I had treatment for migraine and menstrual disorders. Then I planned for visiting  remote tribal  settlements  of Tamilnadu. Once I have collected necessary inputs, I started my trips .

I  spend most of my time in meeting women and children and also went  for sightseeing plus reading  books and  listening to  devotional music. I  mingled  with  women both  tribal and non tribal communities  and came to know that many of them have depression due to lack of counselling  and  someone to hear their woes.

There is one  tribal (Paliyar) settlement called ”Karuvelampatti”  beyond  Sembiran kulam  tribal village in  KC Patty range of Kodaikanal  which  has no roads (a muddy path full of rocks and stones) where I went in  a pickup jeep and  found that they are making  date palm brooms and do earnings  regularly, unlike other places  women work as daily wage  workers. I wondered their entrepreneurship and self help attitude.
 
What questions /reflections emerged during your sabbatical – Could be related to personal or professional life. 

The reflections on professional Life:
a. There is still lot more to be done by development agencies on holistic development of communities which lies beyond the sphere of income generation and or micro credit alone.
b. Real time  exposure for social workers in MUST, which is missing now a days.

The reflections on my personal life:
a. My  service should be  more  focussed on women  so that the  future generation would  depend on them
b. My  life would be  much more useful if I  spend  with  more  deprived and needy  sisters than with urban  dwellings
c. Taking periodical break is needed to rejuvenate our body and mind is also important for any professional

What memory has stayed with you from your sabbatical?
The  lingering  memories are:
a) Lush green  canopy  of Kodaikanal  hills and never tired hill women walking/ trekking long ways deep inside the forest 
b) The plight of women in rural and tribal areas where there are no toilets and carry firewood for cooking
c) The wider gaps between the  poor people & the development schemes of departments and also NGOs

 What did you struggle with during your sabbatical?
I struggled to get understanding drivers while travelling on the Ghat roads and in some places missed my midday meals ( mostly tea shops with some local snacks)

In  some places lack of rest rooms/ urinals  caused  discomfort.

 Any insights or learnings from your sabbatical that you plan to implement in your work / personal life?
Yes, This  sabbatical exposed my poor time management and made to reschedule my travel plans.  As  a CEO  I felt the need for  field  visits  more often than  sitting in front of computers for real  life  exposure in   designing and  execution of  programs

A Dream written down with a Date becomes a Goal. A goal broken into steps becomes A Plan. A plan backed by action makes our Dreams come true. Never let Good, Better and Best to rest. Concentration comes out of a combination of confidence and hunger. Concentrate till our Good becomes the better and our better becomes the best.

This is what I realised in this sabbatical period.
 
Do you feel a sense of rest and wellbeing post your sabbatical? If yes, in what way and if not, what was missed?
Yes. I felt complete rest and attended to my physical and personal  needs

How did your colleagues and family feel about your sabbatical? 
My  family  was not at all understood the concept of sabbatical leave and feared  that I might lose the job. My close friends suspected that I had taken a difficult assignment of walking deep into the forest

Any feedback / areas of improvement to The Cocoon Initiative about the process?
NIL. I had good support and timely advice from Mr Vishal ji.

What advice would your offer to anyone else planning to take a sabbatical?
My offer would  Be:
a. Keep your mobile phone OFF and reply only by email,  if any important matters
b. Carry your own medicines/ books/ music  / songs , NOT  to relay on internet linkage in all places
c. Choose appropriate dress and follow dress code as it  affects your contacts in some places

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