Mini-retirements help to refresh the mind, discover great places, meet inspiring people, understand new cultures, get out of comfort zones and grow as a person. I recommend mini-retirements to anyone.
Whenever I get inspired by something specific, I don't hesitate to jump on a plane, explore, and make it a mini-retirement while I'm at it.
During the past two decades, I lived in Milan and Paris to discover the beauty of online entrepreneurship and working in the fashion industry. In São Paulo I explored digital consulting and learned how to skateboard. I kickstarted a failed career in programming in Prague. In Tokyo I explored new business ideas and was taught kendo by a Japanese kendo master. I launched a failed tech app in San Francisco. In Cali (Colombia) I discovered a love for dancing salsa and exploring dancing to other music genres. Each adventure taught me a different life lesson.
As I've grown older, my view on what matters in life has shifted. Nowadays, I value being close to family and friends more than I did in the past. Being away from loved ones to explore a new interest is not necessarily worth it anymore.
Nonetheless, I cherish each of my adventures and recommend taking a mini-retirement to change perspective anytime to anyone who hasn't tried it before.
