At the end of 2022, I decided to take a sabbatical.
 
I wanted time for myself—free from responsibilities—to explore my own mind, travel the world, reflect on the last 37 years, and figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life. My friends say that when you don’t have a plan for returning, it’s not a sabbatical; it’s early retirement. Call it what you want—I’m taking a break from formal work, and my days are now filled with:

• Sleep. As much as I need, never waking up to an alarm.
• Mind exploration. I meditate and journal daily, sometimes for hours. I’m also reading a lot—books on AI, the brain, happiness, purpose, and meaning.
• Training. I want to use my body better, so I’m focusing on CrossFit, gymnastics, and handstand training. I’m also running, cycling, practicing yoga, and regularly doing ice baths and sauna sessions.
• Business & investments. I still have business interests that I oversee as a non-executive director and spend time managing investments.
• Writing. I’m writing a lot—reflecting on life and personal experiences. I also finished my second book, though I doubt I’ll ever publish it.
• Spanish. I’ve lived in Barcelona for three years, but my Spanish still isn’t where I want it to be, so I dedicate time every day to improving it.
• Meeting new people. Building connections in a new country and city isn’t easy, but I’m making a conscious effort to meet new people. It’s one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced, for many reasons, but it’s also something I know is essential and worth prioritizing.
• Travel. Since starting my sabbatical, I’ve been to South Africa, Scotland, India (for a 10-day silent meditation retreat), Morocco, and Southeast Asia (Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand). I’ve explored Europe extensively (Netherlands, France, Austria, Switzerland, Croatia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark) and traveled throughout Spain. While I love the idea of being a nomad, I’ve realized I still want a home base—and for now, that’s Barcelona.
• One of my biggest dreams: becoming a dad.

For someone who’s spent their life working and hustling, stepping back and not feeling guilty about “not being productive” has been a challenge. But these things are keeping me busy—really busy—and all of them are helping me figure out who I am and what I want to do next.