If you’d told me a year ago that I’d be stepping away from my career for a while, I probably would have said keep dreaming. Even though I have always wanted to walk away from working and have been a big follower of the FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) movement, I didn’t think I would ever do it. There is an alternative to FIRE, where you come back to the workforce when you are ready. The time has come to leave the daily grind for a while and take a mini-retirement.
Finding Courage
I have always been a saver and investor (again, dreaming about FIRE), but I don’t think I truly believed I would ever do it. It is hard to walk away and drastically change your life, especially in your 40s. Why would you walk away from a stable six-figure job that most people would want? You start to feel guilty about leaving because you have so much compared to others and wonder why you can’t accept the situation like everyone else.
Like most people, I have been caught up in the hustle—working long hours, juggling multiple projects, and constantly feeling like I had to be “on” all the time. I had that “so is this it?” feeling. I don’t like the work, and I am not a fan of management. Besides my colleagues and team, I don’t enjoy anything about the job.
Am I doing it just for the money? If so, why am I doing something just for the money? I have never been like that—at least, I believed I was never like that. However, actions speak louder than words. I am here at this job not because I need to be but because I am too afraid to try something else, too comfortable to try something else.
The other day, I heard this great quote: “Never fear failure but be terrified of regret.” That is why I need to take this mini-retirement. I am not ready to walk away from working forever; that is what I think for now. However, I need this reset, a break, an opportunity to explore, and an assurance that I will look back and have no regrets.
The Reality of Burnout
This decision has been months in the making. Working 12-to-14-hour days, nights, and weekends, I couldn’t see myself going like this. Others would constantly complain, but I didn’t see anyone doing anything about it. We have been lemmings, just following the crowd, resigned to our fate.
I have been tired all the time. It was not just physical but mental and emotional. You work all the time, and management tells you they want more. The work will take care of itself in my eyes. I have always been about people… my team and my colleagues. Management doesn’t feel that way. They think we are replaceable widgets. This weighed on me. The excessive work, stress, and poor treatment by management drained me to where I knew I had to walk away.
This isn’t the kind of burnout that can be cured with a weekend getaway. I need time. Time away is required to reset, reflect, and recharge.
What Exactly is a Mini-Retirement?
When I first started considering a mini-retirement, I wasn’t entirely sure what it meant. The term gets thrown around, but I wanted to figure out how it could work for me.
I know people who practice FIRE do many different things after they retire, and most are not sitting around streaming TV shows and movies all day. Yet, I couldn’t seem to get comfortable walking away from work. I want to figure out the right way to have balance and create a life that will be right for me.
A mini-retirement isn’t necessarily a long, indefinite sabbatical or a traditional vacation. It’s more like a pause, a chance to step back from your usual routine and take time off for personal growth, rest, or to explore different interests. For some, it might be a few months spent traveling or learning new skills. For others, it’s simply a way to recalibrate and find balance in life again.
It means taking a few months off from the everyday hustle to get away and see what is outside the office. I have always loved traveling, so this will allow me to take an extended trip and soak in everything to see over months, not days.
Planning for a Mini-Retirement
Taking a mini-retirement gives you space to reset and rethink what matters most. It’s a chance to step back and explore interests you’ve been putting off. Whether traveling, learning a new skill, or just taking time for yourself, it can recharge your motivation and improve your mental health. Stepping away from work, even briefly, helps you gain clarity about your goals and priorities. You’ll return with fresh energy and a better focus on what’s next. Why wait until retirement to enjoy some freedom?
Before you dive right in, you want to prepare to increase the probability of a successful mini-retirement. Here are some high-level planning steps:
- Figure out how much time you’ll take off and estimate costs for that period. Create a detailed savings goal by breaking it into monthly amounts. Cut unnecessary expenses to save faster.
- Check if you need insurance or set up coverage for health or other risks.
- Decide how you’ll spend your time—traveling, pursuing hobbies, or learning skills. If you are leaving your job, talk to your boss early and plan how to transition smoothly.
- Build a cushion for emergencies so you’re not stressed about the unexpected. Keep it simple and stick to your plan.
- Plan how to reintegrate into the workforce after completing your mini-retirement.
A mini-retirement allows you to reset and focus on personal growth, health, or exploration. It allows time to travel, pursue hobbies, or learn new skills, offering clarity and balance. Proper planning—savings, insurance, and reintegration—ensures a smoother experience and helps recharge your motivation for what’s next.
Taking a mini-retirement isn’t about escaping life but fully living it. Life isn’t just about working until retirement; it’s about making the most of every chapter. Maybe this is your sign if you’ve been waiting for “someday” to chase your passions. Start small and see how it reshapes your perspective. Don’t let fear or routine hold you back from living fully. Why not plan your break today?
