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Are you suffering from burnout, stress, lack of sleep and absolutely no time to take an honest look at YOU? Is looking at your health and wellbeing and ways in which you can fully support yourself becoming impossible? These symptoms are all too common in this modern world of ours. Time is speeding up, and our everyday demands have never been so burdensome. 

Taking a sabbatical with PURPOSE is essential. It assists you in aligning your outer world with your inner world. It allows you to embrace and build balance, harmony and strength for your mind, body and soul. Neglecting these experiences for deepening personal development and growth is non-negotiable.

With so many incredible destinations out there that provide an opportunity in which you can connect, invigorate and re-energise yourself, you are spoilt for choice!

Walking the ancient pilgrim’s trail – The Camino de Santiago did just that for me. Stepping back into nature while putting one foot in front of the other gently forces you to listen to yourself. To the good, the bad and the ugly. It allows you to think, reflect and plan. It was so cleansing. I loved every day and wanted it to carry on forever.  The energy of the trail from the many who have walked it in the past pulls you forward. The more you focus on the walking, the more you naturally head towards mindfulness, receiving clarity, direction and a renewed sense of hope. It can be a wonderfully healing journey.  

Each day bought many new experiences, and the scenery was breathtaking. One minute I was walking through a forest that was hundreds of years old, and the next, finding myself deep in conversation with new friends at one of the many bars along the trail.  

Ricardo, our guide, was like a magician, full of surprises and treats. Experiences such as organising private concerts with an opera singer and a Spanish classical guitarist in their 9th-century casa. Or a night full of dancing, fun and laughter with a famous “tuna” band. Or the incredible sharing of ancient arts that have been passed down from generation to generation with local artisans. These were but a few of the special moments.

As the days passed, what became truly profound was that while I was participating in all of the things you expect and want from a holiday – culture, history, amazing scenery, physical activity, great food, wine and awesome company – something even more precious was being experienced.

I was given a chance to travel between two worlds—that of my conscious and subconscious minds, the external and internal parts of me. Walking the ancient pilgrim’s trail gave me permission to let go of all that was holding me back and embrace my dreams and goals again with great optimism. 

Honouring and respecting yourself and taking a sabbatical with purpose is not selfish but, in fact, so very wise. Imagine if your company made it compulsory or better still organised a journey like this to enhance leadership, team dynamics and individual personal growth? Now that is progress. Progress that would see a fantastic return on investment.

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