Last Updated on August 18, 2026 by Bethany Wilinski
What are sabbatical rules?
One of the most helpful things I did before my sabbatical began was to develop a set of rules for myself. I had a Trello board where I kept a list of my personal and professional goals for sabbatical. In the first column I listed my sabbatical rules. They were:
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Finish existing projects. Don’t start new ones.
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Move more.
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Be present with my family.
These were the overarching principles that guided my sabbatical decision-making. I also had smaller rules like, “only check email twice a week” and “say no to all journal review invitations.”
It might seem like a bummer to have rules for a sabbatical. A sabbatical is supposed to be a carefree season, defined by freedom and flexibility. You may be thinking that imposing rules on yourself during sabbatical sounds limiting and would take away from your freedom and flexibility during sabbatical.
It’s counterintuitive, but the opposite is true. Sabbatical rules and boundaries put guardrails on our time, which helps us create and preserve space for the things we want to accomplish during sabbatical, whether it’s personal pursuits, professional goals, or just slowing down and taking time for rest.
Why are sabbatical rules important?
When you set a sabbatical rule or a boundary for yourself in advance of your sabbatical (rather than in the moment), you do two things. First, you decide how you are going to focus your energy and commit to what is most important. Deciding how to focus your energy naturally helps you decide what you’ll say no to. Saying no to opportunities that do not align with your sabbatical priorities is critical to a successful sabbatical, because it allows you to stay focused on your goals.
Second, this practice helps you avoid decision fatigue, which is particularly important if you’re coming into sabbatical feeling burnt out. By following the “decide once” principle (credit to Kendra Adachi and The Lazy Genius podcast for this idea), you set an intention, make a decision, and then eliminate the need to make dozens of tiny decisions down the road. Making a plan that helps you “decide once” doesn’t mean you’re rigid—it helps you stay connected to what’s most important for you during your sabbatical
What Sabbatical Rules Can Look Like
Sabbatical rules are entirely personal, but here are a few examples to get you thinking:
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No email on your phone
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Mornings are for writing or creative work, afternoons are open
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Say no to all journal review requests
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Read fiction only for the first month
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No social media until your daily writing is done
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Spend 30 minutes outside every day
You get to decide your rules based on the kind of sabbatical you want and what you need from your sabbatical.
Ultimately, having a set of sabbatical rules will help reduce friction (you’ve already made the decision, so you don’t have to remake it each day), support your ability to focus (your rules protect your priorities), provide greater ease (you don’t have to constantly ask yourself “should I do this or shouldn’t I”?), and protect your energy (you’re not worn down by making tons of small decisions).
If you’re planning a sabbatical—or even just dreaming of one—try writing your own set of rules. Keep it short. Make sure your rules reflect your priorities and goals for your sabbatical. You can always adjust your rules later, but for right now, practice deciding once.
Looking for more?
Want help crafting your sabbatical rules or designing a plan that supports true rest and renewal? That’s exactly what I help clients do in my sabbatical coaching program. Click the button below to get in touch so we can start planning your life-changing sabbatical!