If you can afford it, giving yourself a sabbatical is an incredible way to recharge.
Everyone's financial / family / etc situation is different, so do what works for you, but I think there's actually a pretty broad range of options you've got:
- Do nothing but reconnect with family/friends for an entire month
- Do something, but not programming, and compensated if you need it, for N months
- If situation allows, travel to a place you never expected to live
My guess is you'll end up with one of two outcomes, both good:
- You'll spend 2-3x the time you'd planned, because you're loving it so much
- You'll end up rushing back into your engineering career, because you've hit on an idea or opportunity that you can't pass up
Everyone's financial / family / etc situation is different, so do what works for you, but I think there's actually a pretty broad range of options you've got:
- Do nothing but reconnect with family/friends for an entire month - Do something, but not programming, and compensated if you need it, for N months - If situation allows, travel to a place you never expected to live
My guess is you'll end up with one of two outcomes, both good:
- You'll spend 2-3x the time you'd planned, because you're loving it so much - You'll end up rushing back into your engineering career, because you've hit on an idea or opportunity that you can't pass up