#0: 52 Places to Go On Your Sabbatical
Introducing sab•ba•tique (n.) the art of taking a sabbatical. Reflections on long-term travel, nomadic entrepreneurship, and navigating a changing world.
Hi, we’re Kira and Nicky. At the end of 2023, we made the decision to take a corporate gap year—a sabbatical, if you will. Many factors go into making such a decision (too many to get into today) but we were primarily motivated by the sense that the natural world is degrading at a rapid pace, and if we wanted to experience the magic, it had to be now.
We lived on the road out of carry-on backpacks, visited remote islands, climbed towering mountains, explored global metropoli and rural villages alike. We built, launched, and grew a DTC ecommerce business. We took on consulting projects. We walked arm in arm down endless beaches. And we learned more than we could have imagined. About the planet, about society, about ourselves. About history, nature, cuisine, culture, the future. About love.
Upon returning to the USA and our careers, we’ve continued to reflect on these learnings and how we’ve changed as people, both together and in conversation with our community. The takeaway: we’re still processing, and people are curious to hear more about it. Writing has been an effective processing medium for us in the past, so we started noting down a few core memories to share with friends. Then a few more. Then a lot more.
And the questions kept coming—where did you go? What did you do? How have you changed? Would you do it again? Could I do it too? Great questions that, it turns out, are impossible to answer in a casual conversation over dinner, or even a two-hour slideshow.
But we want to answer them, both for ~entertainment value~ and also to serve as a resource to the many of you who are wondering about what stepping outside of the bubble might feel like (and wondering how to start thinking about, let along planning, such a step). And we think you may enjoy an inside look at the itineraries, packing lists, menus, and new friends that guided us along the way.
Welcome to
, our newsletter that will cover these topics and more. We’re taking an iterative approach—starting with all the content related to our specific experience, and then expanding to logistical planning techniques, taking career risks, deciding on itineraries, nomadic entrepreneurship, grappling with a changing world, continuing to grow as an adult…and more?We’ve decided to model our first series after the New York Times’ annual 52 Places to Go lists, which we look forward to each year. Every week on Sunday morning, you’ll find a note from us in your inbox covering a special place we visited or experience we had. Some will be short, others longer and more descriptive, all with lots of photos. Our goal is to inspire you to get out there and to go farther, to travel beyond Instagram and Pinterest’s algorithmic highlights, into the real world.
52 Places to Go on Your Sabbatical: One destination. Once a week. For a full year.
Want a preview?
We didn’t go everywhere. But we got around.
The full series of posts are written already and ready to send, so you don’t have to worry about us falling off when we get busy (And don’t be surprised if you start seeing bonus posts popping up—we’re having too much fun writing)
We had a fantastic experience (and our share of ups and downs). More than anything, we’re so glad to share it with you.
Have thoughts and questions? We’re excited to engage. Thank you for joining us. 52 Places to Go on Your Sabbatical starts now. 🧳
— Kira & Nicky
Next week
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Love this idea! What was it like returning to the routine of normal work after such a year?
excited for this!!