Why I Took a 6-Month Career Break (And Why You Should Too)

“So, can you explain this gap in your resume?”

That question used to terrify me. Now I lean forward with a smile and say, “Absolutely—it was one of the most strategic career decisions I’ve ever made.”

Last year, after a decade of back-to-back roles with barely two weeks between jobs, I did something that felt professionally dangerous: I intentionally stepped away from work for six months.

No, I wasn’t burned out (though I was getting close). No, I didn’t have a medical emergency. And no, I didn’t just win the lottery.

I simply recognized that my professional growth had plateaued, and that continuing on autopilot would lead to more of the same. I needed perspective that I couldn’t get while embedded in the daily grind.

Here’s what happened instead of the career suicide everyone predicted:

Month 1: Decompression. I slept more than I had in years. Seriously. My average sleep jumped from 5.5 hours to 7.8 hours (thank you, sleep tracking app). I read novels instead of business books. I remembered that I’m a human, not just a professional role.

Month 2: Reflection. With mental space cleared, I began journaling about my career trajectory. What patterns emerged? Which achievements brought genuine satisfaction versus just looking good on paper? One revelation: my most fulfilling projects all involved building systems that empowered others, not executing everything myself.

Month 3: Exploration. I took three courses unrelated to my direct career path: blockchain fundamentals, conversational Japanese, and surprisingly, floral arrangement. The blockchain knowledge later proved unexpectedly valuable when my current company launched an NFT project.

Month 4: Connection. I reached out to old colleagues, mentors, and industry contacts—not to network transactionally, but to have genuine conversations. These unhurried discussions revealed opportunities I’d never have discovered while busy executing day-to-day work.

Month 5: Experimentation. I consulted on two short-term projects in adjacent industries, testing whether my skills transferred (they did) and whether the grass was actually greener (it wasn’t, just differently challenging).

Month 6: Direction. With renewed clarity, I created a five-year vision for my career based not on titles or companies, but on the type of problems I wanted to solve and the impact I wanted to have.

When I returned to work—at a higher level and higher compensation than my previous role—I brought more than just refreshed energy. I brought strategic perspective, cross-industry insights, and a clearer sense of purpose.

The irony? That intentional “gap” now comes up in every interview—not as something to defend, but as evidence of thoughtful career management that prospective employers find impressively strategic.

If you’re considering a career break, here’s my advice: frame it as strategic professional development, not just time off. Set learning objectives. Document your insights. And when someone asks about that gap later? Answer with confidence about one of the best investments you’ve made in your long-term career success.

Have you taken a career break? Considering one? Share your experience or questions below—I’m happy to offer insights from the other side!