It was a day in August'24—my daughter’s 8th birthday. She had been planning the day for weeks, bubbling with excitement.
At 9 AM, I was helping her blow up balloons and decorate the house. She had invited her friends for a 2 PM party.
At 9:15, my phone rang. It was my reporting manager. My leave had been denied due to an “office exigency,” and I was asked to report to work immediately. Just to remind you—this is a government bank job. One day’s leave shouldn’t make or break anything. Yet, somehow, in this system, every day is treated as a target day, a do-or-die situation.
I promised my daughter I’d return by 6 PM to cut the cake. But by 3 PM, I got another message: higher officials had planned a visit to my branch, and I had to prepare data. I waited, anxious and restless. At 7 PM, with tears in my eyes and fire in my heart, I called to ask when the visit would happen. Only then was I told it had been postponed. Nobody had bothered to inform me earlier.
I finally reached home around 9 PM—just in time to join the party with a fake smile and heavy regret.
That night, I made myself a promise.
I would not wait for my “retirement day” like many in government jobs do. I committed to myself to at least take a sabbatical/ start a side hustle, if not fully exit the job I was in.
Fast forward to today, and I’ve kept that promise. I’ve stepped away, taken my sabbatical, and reclaimed my time. This birthday, I was there with her, on my own terms.
This journey wasn’t just about escaping work. It was about choosing freedom, being there for my family, and redefining success on my own terms.
And as I look back, I know one thing for sure: I didn’t just take a break from my job, I am starting a new chapter in my life.