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After 2 years of Sabbatical from Work, THIS IS IT!

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By Rena

I took a sabbatical from the corporate work back in end 2021. It's going to be my 2-year anniversary for my sabbatical. But, it's time to get serious earning money full-time.

Here's why...

Meeting Passive Income Objective

I haven't been working, and my income was mainly contributed by my passive income from dividends/stocks. If it goes as it is, my passive income this year should be about $2000/ month, or about $24,000 a year. This is $6000 up from last year. Going at this rate, I should grow at $6000/ year. Just like GDP which is always reported as an increment rather than at absolute amount, so does passive income growth, doesn't it?

The amount of cash that I have, has slowly been used for invested. And to meet the growth target, it's basically increasing the returns, putting more into the investments, or both. At my comfort level, I'm going with increasing the amount invested. This means finding fresh funds. A full-time job should solve this problem.


Lifestyle Creep 

What do you do when you have all the time in the world? Spend more time on hobbies. The awesome thing about being in Singapore, and also being a Singaporean is the wonderful library that we have. There are limitless books, and comfortable air-con which you can indulge in the whole day for FREE. You can also learn new skills and learn new hobbies by simply watching Youtube. While there isn't much lifestyle creep in me (I hope), there is lifestyle creep in my family. 

As the kids get older, I don't think I should deprive them of trying out different cuisines, travelling around, and entertainment, just because I have been there, done that, and have enough of them.

My entire family of 5 has recently made passports, and I foresee upcoming travelling with the kids. And this is definitely going to bump up expenses by A LOT.

Self- Esteem Needs

Perhaps the biggest is self- esteem. When you are at work, you can meet a lot of trash, be criticised for everything up to the fonts you use. But when you are out from work, and talking to people, you can say you do whatsoever, and help whatsoever people do this. Self- esteem hasn't creeped on me yet, as I have few friends. 

Yet, I can forsee, as time passes, my peers are likely to be way ahead of me in my career if I do nothing. And when that time comes, how would I feel?


Since I want to earn more, I went for a job interview...

Recently, I went for an interview. 

I thought everything went well. I proceeded to the last round. However, ultimately, I did not get an offer. Not sure what went wrong. I couldn't get more information. Anyways, while one interview doesn't say anything, insecurities in me actually sounded. I wondered will I not be able to be employed in this field that I had worked ages off. I was reminded that as my sabbatical drags on, it may have a negative impact on my employability back into my old field (and an income close to my last drawn pay). 

But, then, do I want to go back to this field? My sabbatical has been nothing short of wonderful. I enjoyed the time doing my own things, staying in Singapore, and being able to go where I wanted when I want to. Do I still want intensive travels, and climbing towers? 

I remembered standing at the top of 40 m column on a bitter cold winter (overseas). While taking a breath after the climb, and feeling the wind, I told myself --- one day I will get out engineering. And since I did. So, why go back?


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