The Wandering Koi

For the first time in a long time, we’re choosing to pause.

In about seven months, our family of three will step away from our usual routines and spend 10 months traveling together. We’re calling this a sabbatical, though not in the traditional academic sense — and that distinction matters.

This post is our way of explaining what we mean, why now, and what this season is (and isn’t).

What We Mean When We Say “Sabbatical”

When most people hear the word sabbatical, they think of a formal academic leave — a guaranteed position waiting at the end, protected funding, and a defined structure.

That’s not our situation.

For us, sabbatical means:

10 months without traditional employment A true break from clinical medicine An intentional pause, not a permanent exit

I did resign my position to make this possible. My husband did not. That asymmetry reflects the realities of our respective fields and roles, and it’s part of the careful planning behind this decision.

We use the word sabbatical not to imply formality or safety, but because it best captures the idea of an intentional, time-limited pause — one chosen thoughtfully, not impulsively.

Why Now?

Timing is one of the questions we’re asked most often.

Why now for our daughter?

We chose 7th grade deliberately.

She is:

Old enough to remember this experience Big enough to care for herself and engage meaningfully with new places Young enough to not yet have the heavy academic and social obligations that come later

This felt like a narrow window — one where curiosity is still high and external pressures are still manageable.

Why now for us?

From a professional standpoint, we are:

Finished with training Well established in our fields At a point where stepping away is logistically possible, even if still uncomfortable

From a financial standpoint, this took years of preparation. This was not a spontaneous decision or a reaction to burnout alone. It required patience, planning, and waiting for the right season.

We weren’t ready before.

Now, we are.

What This Is — and What It Isn’t

This season is:

Time together as a family Travel designed for depth, not luxury Space for rest, reflection, and recalibration

This season is not:

Quitting medicine forever A vacation disguised as work An escape from responsibility A social media stunt

We’re sharing parts of this journey publicly because we’ve learned that many people are quietly curious about what it looks like to step away — especially when careers, children, and real-world responsibilities are involved.

But we’re also setting boundaries. We’re staying anonymous. We’re being thoughtful about what we share about our child. And we’re committed to honesty without performance.

Why Share This at All?

Because so many conversations about sabbaticals and long-term travel feel either:

Unrealistically polished, or So vague they’re not useful

Our hope is to share:

The logistics The tradeoffs The questions we’re still figuring out

Not as a template — just as one real example.

There is no perfect time to pause life.

But sometimes, there is a thoughtful one.

This is ours.