By: Vera A. Pereira
When I think about my sabbatical, one word comes to mind: home.
As I prepared to take time away from my role as an Operations Associate at HIGHLAND Financial Advisors, I knew exactly where I wanted to go. I wanted to return to Portugal and spend that time with the people who matter most to me - my family and friends.
Portugal has always been more than a place on a map. It holds so many of my memories, traditions, and connections. The food, the streets, the sounds, the conversations, and even the simple routines of everyday life remind me of where I come from. There is a familiarity there that is difficult to describe until you experience it.
What made this trip different was having the time to truly enjoy it.
It wasn't a quick vacation where every day was planned around seeing as much as possible. For once, there was no need to rush from one place to another. I could wake up, enjoy a coffee, spend time with family, take a walk, sit down for a long meal, and simply appreciate where I was.
And I did.
The Moments I Will Remember
Traveling through Portugal gave us plenty of beautiful places to visit and memories to make. But looking back, it isn't necessarily the destinations I remember most.
It's the moments in between.
It's sitting around the table with family and realizing that hours have passed because the conversation never stopped. It's laughing about something that probably wouldn't make sense to anyone else. It's taking a walk with nowhere specific to be or deciding what to do next without checking the clock.
Those simple moments became some of the most meaningful parts of the trip.
Living far away from family makes time together especially valuable. We all have busy lives, responsibilities, and routines that can make it difficult to slow down. Having uninterrupted time with the people I love reminded me that sometimes being together is enough. There was no pressure to fill every moment or make every day productive. We simply enjoyed each other's company.
What I Took Away From the Experience
Before my sabbatical, I thought the biggest benefit would be rest. While I certainly came back refreshed, I also returned with a different perspective on how I spend my time.
We are often focused on what comes next - the next task, meeting, responsibility, or item on our list. My time in Portugal reminded me that there is also value in simply stopping.
There is nothing wrong with sitting down for a long meal, taking the scenic route, having a conversation that lasts longer than expected, or spending an afternoon without a schedule. Some of life's best moments happen when we aren't trying to accomplish anything.
One of the biggest lessons I brought back with me was simple: being present is just as important as being productive.
Bringing Portugal Back with Me
Returning to HIGHLAND Financial Advisors after my sabbatical, I found myself looking at some things differently. I want to continue making time to listen, be patient, and have meaningful conversations instead of always focusing on what needs to happen next.
In our work, we interact with people every day. My time away reminded me that behind every request, question, or challenge is a person who deserves to feel heard and understood.
But the lesson goes beyond work.
My sabbatical reminded me that my career is an important part of my life, but it isn't all of it. Family, friendships, traditions, memories, and the places that shape us are just as important.
For me, Portugal represents all of those things.
Coming Home
I came back with plenty of photographs, memories, and probably more food in my suitcase than I needed. But the most important thing I brought home couldn't be packed. It was a renewed appreciation for the people and experiences that make life meaningful.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to step away, reconnect with my family, and spend time in a place that will always hold a special place in my heart. I'm equally grateful to return to HIGHLAND Financial Advisors with a fresh perspective and a greater appreciation for the everyday moments that are easy to overlook.
My sabbatical wasn't about getting away from my life.
It was about slowing down long enough to reconnect with a part of myself that doesn't always get the attention it deserves.
Sometimes, going home isn't simply about returning to a place. It's about remembering where you come from, appreciating the people who helped shape you, and carrying those lessons with you wherever you go.
For me, that meant Portugal, my family, and the simple gift of having time to be together.
And sometimes, you have to go home to appreciate where you're going next.
Vera Pereira is an Operations Associate at HIGHLAND Financial Advisors, a Fee-Only fiduciary wealth advisory firm that offers comprehensive financial planning, retirement planning, and investment management. Before joining HIGHLAND, she was recognized with TD Ameritrade’s “Circle of Champions” award, the firm’s top honor. Vera is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. She is passionate about helping others and finds fulfillment in knowing she has made a positive impact, whether big or small. Outside of the office, Vera loves all things music and enjoys playing the keyboard.
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The above article was written with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI).