Episode 32 - Career Break Travel Hacks: Bucket Lists, Upskilling Abroad & Phone Boundaries
Thinking of taking a career break or sabbatical? This episode is packed with practical tips and mindset shifts to help you make the most of your time away from the 9–5 grind. Katrina McGhee, sabbatical coach and author of Taking a Career Break for Dummies, joins James Hammond to talk about how to turn your break into a purposeful journey—without burning out or getting lost in endless scrolling. Whether you're planning three months in Europe or slow traveling across continents, this conversation will help you design an experience that aligns with your goals, values, and curiosity.
Katrina and James get real about what it takes to balance adventure and rest while traveling long-term. They share personal stories about how fast and slow travel each play a role, how to plan around bucket list goals while leaving space for spontaneity, and why being intentional about your phone usage can radically improve your overall experience. Katrina explains how the themes of your break—whether you're seeking growth, healing, joy, or exploration—should guide how you plan your trip. James shares examples from his own career break and global adventures, emphasizing the value of mixing big, exciting activities with restorative downtime.
They also explore the idea of upskilling while abroad, like taking a short course or learning a new language, and how that can add a layer of meaning or future benefit to your break. Plus, they discuss the real-life challenges of being present when you're tempted to document everything for social media or keep up with work emails. Toward the end, they each share their evolving bucket list goals—from seeing polar bears in Canada and dancing in Ibiza, to chasing paradise in French Polynesia and exploring new parts of Greece. It’s an honest, practical, and inspiring look at how to design a travel experience that truly serves you, rather than just filling your calendar.
Whether you’re on the road or just starting to plan, this episode will give you permission to slow down, dream big, and take control of your time. And if you want community and support while you do it, Katrina shares how you can join BreakSpace, her one-of-a-kind global network for career breakers and sabbatical takers.
Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview
01:00 – Building Variety into Your Career Break
03:30 – Aligning Travel Plans with Break Themes
05:20 – The Power of Rest Stops While Traveling
07:00 – Spontaneity and Flexible Planning
09:00 – One-Way Tickets and Serendipitous Moments
11:00 – Upskilling and Learning While Abroad
13:30 – Digital Discipline and Phone Boundaries
15:30 – Staying Present as a Traveler and Creator
16:10 – Bucket List Reflections: What’s Left to Do?
19:00 – James’ Travel Bucket List Goals
20:10 – Final Thoughts & BreakSpace Community Invitation
Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.
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📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!
BreakSpace - www.gobreakspace.com
Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php
Order Katrina's book - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book
Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com
