Stepping out in faith and taking August off as a freelancer changed everything

Writer Alex Noel reflects on the transformative power of rest after taking a month-long sabbatical in August. What began as a counterintuitive decision to step back from work became a season of renewal, where slowing down opened space for both restoration and spiritual insight.

This year I decided to take the whole of August off. It’s something I’ve never done before as a working adult, thinking it the preserve of wealthy company executives, or continental Europeans (a longstanding tradition in France, Spain and Italy especially). But definitely not for me.

As a freelancer it’s counter-intuitive - foolish even, to completely down tools and rest instead. I feel duty-bound to stay ‘open for business’ so I don’t miss opportunities. However, this year was different. With a contract ending on 1 August, and some money saved up to cover my costs, I had both the time and resources. Plus a deep conviction that this is what I needed, and that God was asking me to take a step of faith. In my calendar I blocked out the month of August, turned down work I was offered and literally shut up shop.