Aww amazing, thanks so much for sharing this guide!! I’ve been to Budapest once before just for a few days, so very excited to go back and now dive into these local recs you’ve shared :) and glad you’re feeling a similar way about your layoff!! Rejection = redirection 🙌🏽
Good for you Caitlyn! You're smart to take advantage while you're young and not tied down. All of what you want to do can happen later too, but it's a lot more complex. Your trip looks awesome.
"I can always earn more money in the future, but I will never be 25 again – untethered to any specific location with no mortgage nor long-term lease, not entrenched in a serious long-term relationship nor having any kids or pets that I’m responsible for, and luckily unburdened by any debt or financial roadblocks."
my jaw actually dropped at how much this post resonated with me on every level.. are we the same person?! so excited for your year ahead and to keep following your journey caitlyn :)
Wooohoo glad you found it so relatable!! Publishing these thoughts into words has the amazing side effect of bringing people who share my wavelength into my life. Excited to follow your journey as well!!
Thank you! But to be honest I hardly think it requires bravery, more so just is the power of being honest with yourself about what you want and kind enough to yourself to give yourself the pathway to what you really want in life!
Hey Caitlyn! I enjoyed reading this and it seems like you've got a ton of fun adventures planned. I recently wrapped up a year of being on sabbatical and felt like it might be helpful to share my perspective: https://blog.mattyao.co/p/51-a-year-of-zero
Thank you, glad you enjoyed the read! I actually read your sabbatical summary article a few weeks ago before I even got laid off/started my own sabbatical journey – definitely found your perspectives insightful and am eager to watch where you take your journey next! :)
Hi Caitlyn, I’m super excited for you! And I see a lot of myself in this as I made the same exact decision a year ago, after being swept up in Amazon layoffs. I didn’t have as much of a plan as you when I left (so kudos!), but within a couple of months I committed myself to doing hard things - learning Spanish through immersion, walking the Camino de Santiago, high-altitude trekking in the Himalayas, etc… and a return to hostels & backpacking throughout. :)
I am on the other end of my sabbatical now and thinking about going home, so if I can offer you any perspective or reassurance, send me a message. I’ve had quite a few video chats recently with people who have reached out to me on LinkedIn or here.
Congratulations on your decision and the year ahead!!
That’s awesome!! I’ve considered doing the Camino as well but now have decided to push it off until Aug 2026 when the next total solar eclipse will pass through northern Spain to coincide those two experiences haha. Have also had considered trekking in the Himalayas next year, we’ll see! Glad to hear you tried and enjoyed both :)
Apologies for the delayed reply, I’ll shoot you a message! Def would love to chat further - I’ve been really enjoying connecting with others further along on their sabbatical journeys as well
Hello Caitlyn, I'm really impressed by your book, so well written, and the community of like-minded people you've drawn to you. As you and many others have commented, living intuitively is harder to do later in life, but I'm proof even late bloomers (like me) can make it happen. I've never felt more free, which is a theme I explore in my own partial memoir coming out later this year (https://littlegiantbook.com.) Bravo to you for taking a pathless path and sharing it so beautifully.
You’re a rockstar, Caitlyn! So excited for you! Can’t wait for all the adventures to come
Thank you!! Very glad you can relate to how good a feeling it is to take a break from the grind and just LIVE 🙌🏽
I just got laid off on Tuesday and it's the most relieved I've felt in years.
If you come to Barcelona on your travels let me know!
Also I was born in Budapest and made this guide for my friends that visit, it will come in handy on your trip: https://illustrious-airbus-ebf.notion.site/Budapest-Welcome-Guide-6b7f516e9c6c4ebb9e925c01f63024e7?pvs=4
Aww amazing, thanks so much for sharing this guide!! I’ve been to Budapest once before just for a few days, so very excited to go back and now dive into these local recs you’ve shared :) and glad you’re feeling a similar way about your layoff!! Rejection = redirection 🙌🏽
Radical sabbatical is so good
Hahaha my friend said the phrase the other day and I was like WAIT… this is IT
Good for you Caitlyn! You're smart to take advantage while you're young and not tied down. All of what you want to do can happen later too, but it's a lot more complex. Your trip looks awesome.
Definitely agree! Never too late, but for sure gets more difficult later on… thank you! Glad to connect :)
"I can always earn more money in the future, but I will never be 25 again – untethered to any specific location with no mortgage nor long-term lease, not entrenched in a serious long-term relationship nor having any kids or pets that I’m responsible for, and luckily unburdened by any debt or financial roadblocks."
my jaw actually dropped at how much this post resonated with me on every level.. are we the same person?! so excited for your year ahead and to keep following your journey caitlyn :)
Wooohoo glad you found it so relatable!! Publishing these thoughts into words has the amazing side effect of bringing people who share my wavelength into my life. Excited to follow your journey as well!!
I am almost on sabbatical! This post inspired me! Even though I’m 35 I am hoping to channel your youthful energy for it 😊🥳
aw thank you – yay! excited for you!!
Damn you are brave as hell
Thank you! But to be honest I hardly think it requires bravery, more so just is the power of being honest with yourself about what you want and kind enough to yourself to give yourself the pathway to what you really want in life!
Hey Caitlyn! I enjoyed reading this and it seems like you've got a ton of fun adventures planned. I recently wrapped up a year of being on sabbatical and felt like it might be helpful to share my perspective: https://blog.mattyao.co/p/51-a-year-of-zero
Have fun!
Thank you, glad you enjoyed the read! I actually read your sabbatical summary article a few weeks ago before I even got laid off/started my own sabbatical journey – definitely found your perspectives insightful and am eager to watch where you take your journey next! :)
Amazing! I'm excited to see how your journey unfolds
Hi Caitlyn, I’m super excited for you! And I see a lot of myself in this as I made the same exact decision a year ago, after being swept up in Amazon layoffs. I didn’t have as much of a plan as you when I left (so kudos!), but within a couple of months I committed myself to doing hard things - learning Spanish through immersion, walking the Camino de Santiago, high-altitude trekking in the Himalayas, etc… and a return to hostels & backpacking throughout. :)
I am on the other end of my sabbatical now and thinking about going home, so if I can offer you any perspective or reassurance, send me a message. I’ve had quite a few video chats recently with people who have reached out to me on LinkedIn or here.
Congratulations on your decision and the year ahead!!
That’s awesome!! I’ve considered doing the Camino as well but now have decided to push it off until Aug 2026 when the next total solar eclipse will pass through northern Spain to coincide those two experiences haha. Have also had considered trekking in the Himalayas next year, we’ll see! Glad to hear you tried and enjoyed both :)
Apologies for the delayed reply, I’ll shoot you a message! Def would love to chat further - I’ve been really enjoying connecting with others further along on their sabbatical journeys as well
Hello Caitlyn, I'm really impressed by your book, so well written, and the community of like-minded people you've drawn to you. As you and many others have commented, living intuitively is harder to do later in life, but I'm proof even late bloomers (like me) can make it happen. I've never felt more free, which is a theme I explore in my own partial memoir coming out later this year (https://littlegiantbook.com.) Bravo to you for taking a pathless path and sharing it so beautifully.