A Three-Week Tour de France: How I Spent My Vested Sabbatical
One of the most meaningful benefits Vested offers is a sabbatical program for employees who’ve been with the company for four years or more. After eight years on the team, I decided to take advantage of the three-week sabbatical, and I used it for something I’ve been dreaming about for years: a tour of the South of France.
Why I Took the Leap
As Director of Operations (a role that largely means I manage Vested’s finance functions), I’m usually deep in the details. I’ve been with Vested since 2016, and while I’m very in-VESTED in the company (I had to), I was thrilled to step away for a longer break and do something for myself.
I chose the three-week sabbatical option over the three-month because I wanted to treat it like an extended vacation, with a stipend that helped me make the most of it.
My French Adventure
Who doesn’t dream of visiting the South of France? I’d always wanted to go, but I wanted to do it right, taking enough time to fully experience the different towns, cultures, and, let’s be honest, pastries. My sabbatical gave me that chance.
My trip started in Paris and continued through a long list of stunning towns: Paradou en Provence, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Fontvieille, Mussane-les-Alpilles, Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, Cassis, Nice, Saint-Paul de Vence, Tourrettes-sur-Loup, Antibes, Èze, Menton, and Villefranche-sur-Mer. Yes, it was a lot, and yes, it was glorious.
Some standout moments… the bread (obviously), the impossibly blue Mediterranean, the daily local markets, and immersing myself in the slower pace of French life.
The biggest thing is that I fully disconnected from work. The Vested team respects time off and truly encourages you to unplug. That clear boundary made a big difference. It felt like a real break, one that a long weekend or even a standard vacation just doesn’t quite deliver.
What I Took Away
I’m a New Yorker who loves art and food, so France was basically my ideal destination. But beyond the museums and croissants, what really stood out was the intentionality of French culture. People take breaks. They don’t rush through life. There’s a sense of enoughness, which is something that’s often missing in a city like New York, where more is always the goal.
It reminded me that rest doesn’t have to be earned through burnout. Sometimes, it just needs to be taken.
Why Sabbaticals Matter
A real break, one that’s supported, encouraged, and uninterrupted, is a rare thing in our industry, but it’s exactly what makes Vested special. We work hard here, and the sabbatical program is one of the ways our founders show us we’re appreciated not just as employees, but as people.
If you’re a fellow Vestie wondering if you should take one: do it. Take that dream trip. Or stay home and fully unplug. Your team will have your back. The work will be there when you return, but so will your energy, perspective, and appreciation for the people around you.
Coming Back
Was I greeted by a three-week backlog of emails? Of course. But I was also met with a team that kept things running smoothly, and a renewed sense of just how strong and capable they are. That, in itself, was a great reminder of the power of rest.
