‘Nobody wants to work anymore’ – an iconic line delivered by someone who famously works incredibly hard. Though ironic, Ms Kardashian may not have been entirely wrong. Micro-retirements, or adult gap years, are exactly what they sound like – a short break in the middle of one’s career, much like an actual retirement except shorter, and far, far sooner. But where did this idea come from, and why is it gaining traction amongst young millennials and Gen Z?

The concept of a career break is not a new one. Sabbaticals have been around for a long time, though they are usually thought of as the domain of academics who take breaks from teaching to research their next big breakthrough. However, since 2020, there has been a marked shift in the adoption of sabbaticals by other industries. The global pandemic is thought to have had two effects: first, it changed people’s outlook on life and served as a reminder that life is, in fact, short – thus prompting them to seek better pay, flexibility, or work that aligned with their values. Second, lockdowns caused a blurring of lines between work and home life, which compounded feelings of burnout and the need for a longer break. The ‘Great Resignation,’ a period of exceptionally high turnover in 2021 and 2022 where people were actively leaving their jobs, pushed employers to offer greater flexibility alongside better working conditions in order to keep their staff.

Last year, over half of organisations polled offered paid or unpaid sabbaticals to staff, according to the Chartered Management Institute, to improve employee wellbeing, provide a flexible work culture and increase talent retention. Approximately 4.9 million working Brits have taken a sabbatical, and the trend is certainly taking hold amongst younger people. Nearly half of Gen Z and millennials have either taken a sabbatical or are currently planning one, compared to 30% of Gen X and 24% of baby boomers. 

Their popularity among young people today may stem from several factors: growing societal awareness of mental health and burnout; the increasing pressure to succeed without any meaningful payoff – where once a single income could support a family and buy a home; and the near-mythical idea of retirement, especially in a society far less willing than the French, to protest the quiet dismantling of our social securities. Or perhaps it’s because having a traditional retirement to work, save and plan for is constantly threatened by maniacal leaders who deny the looming climate crisis – something that’s only further heightened by the multi-million dollar deals between governments and tech companies for ‘AI advancement’ and data centres that will pollute our drinking water, exacerbate the existing global water crisis, and dramatically increase carbon emissions. 

Curious about why this idea has gained such traction, I spoke to five women who’ve either taken or are currently on a career break to hear what drove their decision and how they made it work in practice.

A common thread that emerged was poor health. According to Dr Luisa Sorio Flor, women live longer, “but live more years in poor health, with limited progress made in reducing the burden of conditions leading to illness and disability.” Women’s health is famously under-researched due to a history of underfunding, exclusion in clinical trials, and a male-centric bias in medical research. Medical misogyny, combined with medical racism, means that women from global majority backgrounds are doubly disadvantaged. It’s perhaps no surprise, then, that nearly all the women I spoke to cited their physical and mental health as key reasons for stepping back from work.

Salam, who was working in the TV industry, initially imagined her break would last about a year – but three years on, she’s still navigating what she jokingly calls an early “retirement.”

“I had to ‘retire’ because my health, despite being 21, was so poor. I have spent my early twenties living like I’m retired: gardening, crocheting, raising parrots, getting involved in community projects and decorating my ‘cottage’, which is just a shed in my parents’ back garden.

At one point, I was sitting with a pair of ladies who were almost thrice my age, but I related to them so much when it came to our health and our lives as a result. 

I work part-time now, after training as a General Practice Assistant, but it still feels like I’m retired because of how wildly different an industry it is and how gentle the hours are. It’s something a pensioner might do to fill their time. I’ve recently started applying to TV jobs again, so I wonder if my micro-retirement will end soon – and what changes that will bring. I had a few funny things I wanted to share, but I’m speaking to you from the hospital, so it’s all feeling a bit ironic right now.”

Fatema, a VFX artist in film and television, hadn’t planned to take a break quite yet. But when the 2023 Hollywood strikes led to mass redundancies across the industry, she had just two months to either scramble for another job or step back.

“I already knew I wanted to move into something different – my health and family were being neglected – but the redundancy pushed the timeline forward.

My job had always been very desk-based, and post-COVID, with everyone working from home, I missed being around people. I felt I was losing my spark. So I moved back home, got a part-time job at a café, and just focused on reconnecting with myself. Daily interactions with strangers and a break from the full-time grind helped remind me of who I am, what I enjoy, what I’m good at, and where I want to focus my energy.

Though the timing wasn’t my choice, it ended up being a blessing. I reconnected with my love of film, spent time on personal art projects, and co-founded The Online Girls Film Club, where we host themed movie nights and discussions with girls around the world. It hasn’t all been smooth sailing, but I’m clearer now about what I want and I’m working harder to chase it.”

Maisa was a senior executive at a major entertainment company (there seems to be a theme here around entertainment burnout!), but she decided to leave after realising just how much her work was costing her – mentally, physically, and spiritually.

“I was constantly in crisis mode – it was a very high-stress role. I was travelling all the time, both domestically and internationally. While that might sound exciting from the outside, it took a huge toll on my body. The pressure affected both my physical and mental health, and I was also facing ethical issues that made me question whether I could continue in that industry.

That’s when I decided to take a sabbatical, which ended up lasting a year and a half. Now, my life looks completely different. I work part-time as a consultant, live in a different country, and lead a much slower-paced lifestyle. I’m healthier, happier, and far more aligned with my long-term goals – things like family, faith, and future stability.

The decision to leave wasn’t impulsive. I planned ahead – financially, logistically, and I even spent time researching the country I wanted to move to. It was, in many ways, a complete life reset. And alhamdulillah, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

Asma, too, reached a breaking point after feeling that her job was draining her of both health and spiritual clarity. “I took a break from my job – not with a set deadline – but it ended up being a broken break over four months, taken in two parts. I just knew I had to leave. The work was affecting my physical health, and I felt like I was wasting time, and time is such a valuable resource. We’re already in a state of loss, as Surah Al Asr reminds us, and I genuinely felt there was no barakah left in my time or energy.

During that time, I travelled to Abu Dhabi, Malaysia, which had been a lifelong dream, and Singapore for six weeks. I started an Alimiyyah course, and I began exploring PhD options and other job opportunities, especially since my previous salary had felt like a scam in hindsight.

A lot happened during that time off, alhamdulilah. The reason it was a broken break was because I did eventually go back to support the team temporarily, but that was cut short – Allah ﷻ had other plans. I ended up in A&E and was rushed into emergency surgery.

That forced month of recovery only reinforced everything I’d been feeling: how fragile life is, how close death really is, and how deeply we need to value the time we’ve been given.”

Arooza, who had worked in corporate finance for years, had long been dreaming of a career break. She made sure to plan it carefully – moving back home to avoid rent, saving up, and clearing her schedule.

“It still took time before I finally decided to step away, but I’m so glad I did. During this break, I’ve travelled extensively and spent more time with my family. A significant event last year shifted my perspective and made me realise how important it is to prioritise what truly matters now, rather than waiting for ‘the right time.’

I’ve been fortunate to explore several countries with loved ones – an experience I know may not come again soon. This time off has also had a hugely positive impact on my mental and physical wellbeing, giving me the space to focus on exercise, build healthier habits, and invest in personal growth.”

The idea of a career break – to travel, pursue hobbies, retrain in another field, or simply to rest – is one that many of us will have toyed with after hitting snooze for the fifth time on our morning alarms, or while staring dully at yet another spreadsheet.

For many, as the women shared above, the break is less of a choice and more of a necessity when health begins to spiral. As the old adage goes, ‘If you don’t schedule a break, your body will take one for you. And it probably won’t be at a convenient time.’ 

No matter how their sabbatical started, all the women agreed that it can be a nerve-wracking thing to consider, and that a bit of planning can go a long way to ensure you can make the most of it. If you feel like you need a break, why not start by considering taking a long weekend, or maybe a week off work? Perhaps you’ll come back revitalised and refreshed, having only needed a short stint away from the monotonous routine of clocking in and out. Still feel like you need something more? Start planning! Find out if your current employer offers paid or unpaid sabbaticals, or have a think about what careers you’d like to pivot to after your break if you’re disillusioned with your current situation and plan to leave your job entirely. 

To make the most of your micro-retirement, you’ll want to reflect on your motivations for it and have enough money saved to achieve your goals, even if it’s just to be comfortable while exploring your city daily.

Consider how much you’ll be spending during your time off – account for the fact that more free time will probably mean more money spent – then add 20% more to that figure as a buffer for unexpected costs or re-entry into the workforce. There are also risks to consider when thinking about an adult gap year. Beyond the lack of stable and secure income, you won’t have the benefits of a growing workplace pension, you won’t have extra cash to invest, your career could stagnate, and re-entering the workforce could prove difficult, considering the bleak job market. For Muslim women, the last two factors may weigh even heavier in our decision, given that we face employment discrimination due to entrenched Islamophobia and societal misconceptions around our gender, religion, and sometimes ethnicity. 

There are several factors to consider when contemplating a micro-retirement, including your long-term life goals. If you’re constantly missing out on experiences because you’re scrimping and saving for a break, and the only thing getting you through the working day is thoughts of quitting, perhaps it’s worth reconsidering your field. Work is just one part of life, and not everyone has the privilege of doing a job they’re head over heels with, but if yours consistently drains you, doesn’t align with your values, and leaves little room for joy, growth or meaningful rest, then it might be time to reassess whether the path you’re on truly correlates with the life you want to live, beyond considering a short break.