When Sabrina stepped away from work for a three-month sabbatical earlier this year, she had no idea just how meaningful—and rejuvenating—the experience would be.
Creating a Space to Reset at Home
From February through April 2025, she embraced a rare opportunity to fully unplug. The first month of her sabbatical was dedicated to long-overdue home projects, things she’d put off for years simply because there was never enough time or energy after work. Finally, she had the space to check those off her list and reset her living space.
Returning to Her Roots
But the real journey began in March, when she visited her hometown of Hong Kong. There, she reconnected with her father, extended family, childhood friends, and even her former English teachers—many of whom she hadn’t seen in over 30 years. These reunions were filled with laughter, memories, and moments that reminded her of the roots that shaped who she is today.
During her visit, she also traveled to Yunnan, China, where she soaked in spectacular landscapes and savored the flavorful local dishes. Road trips with her husband and mother-in-law added even more to the experience, creating new memories along the way.
Discovering New Passions and Old Friendships
One surprising joy came in the form of art. A high school friend introduced her to Zentangle, a simple but powerful drawing technique that fosters relaxation and creativity. She loved it so much, she now recommends it to everyone as a way to unwind.
But perhaps the highlight of it all was a weekend getaway with her high school best friends to Shengzhen. No partners, no kids — just the five of them catching up and cherishing the chance to travel together for the very first time. It was so great that they’re already planning the next adventure!
Letting Go and Truly Unplugging
Beyond the travel and reconnection, the sabbatical became a lesson in letting go. For the first month, she admits, she couldn’t stop checking her work email. It was the first thing she looked at each morning and a habit that was hard to break. But as time passed, she finally gave herself permission to rest.
She explains,
“There’s a well-known Chinese saying: “休息是為了走更遠的路,” which means “Resting is to prepare for a longer journey ahead.”
This mindset became a guiding light throughout her time away.
Building Team Trust and Professional Growth
This sabbatical wasn’t just about personal growth — it was also a powerful moment of growth for the digitalLIFT team. As Sabrina stepped back, her teammates had the chance to step up and take ownership of important work, which gave them valuable experience and helped build their confidence. The opportunity to learn and grow in order to support a valuable team member’s sabbatical created new layers of trust at digitalLIFT, and strengthened the foundation of Sabrina’s department.
Why Sabbaticals Matter at digitalLIFT
At digitalLIFT, we’re proud to offer a sabbatical program because we believe in caring for the employee as a whole person, not just as a cog in a wheel. We care about our team members beyond their job titles and duties. For us, offering sabbaticals is a sign of respect for the lives and aspirations our team members have beyond the office. It’s a way to say, your well-being matters.
We’re so glad to welcome Sabrina back! And we’re especially thankful that she feels refreshed, reenergized, and … dare we say it? … ready to work! We kid, of course. We’re equally grateful to the teammates who carried the torch in her absence. Together, we’re building a culture where rest isn’t a reward — it’s part of the journey.
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