HOW TO PITCH YOUR BOSS FOR A ROORAL SABBATICAL
- Maria Urbano
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 10 hours ago
Written by Dani Spencer
Whether you need to make the case to the corporate ladder or yourself.
I was never cut out for office work—sitting at a desk for eight hours a day feels like a dull, living nightmare on the order of Severance— minus the brain implant and will they won’t they office intrigue to keep things interesting.
On the occasions where I have found myself working in an office, I will find any excuse to leave my desk. Usually, this means unnecessary trips to the restroom, followed by pilgrimages to the coffee pot—a hamster wheel existence, punctuated by brief bursts of actual productivity.
At my last job, I was so restless—and, indeed, so over-caffeinated—that I founded a lunchtime walking club. My coworkers and I would march in perilous circles, dodging potholes and reckless drivers in our unfriendly pedestrian city, as if we could outwalk both monotony and fate. But it was never quite enough.
For the past couple of years, I’ve traded in my office badge for a freelancer’s passport, zigzagging across the globe instead of pacing around the block. With endless avenues to stretch my legs, I sometimes take it too far—like that time I ended up living in an attic on the Camino de Santiago (true story). Productive? Not exactly. Character-building? Absolutely.
It wasn’t until I landed at Rooral last November that I finally found the balance I had been chasing. In the beautiful pueblo of Benarrabá, I discovered more than just a state-of-the-art coworking space—I found a community, a rhythm, and, crucially, hiking trails to run away to when I needed a break from the screen. (Fun fact: Andalucia is the most mountainous region of Spain!)
If you find yourself in need of a scenic sabbatical, but first need to convince your boss (even if that boss is you…) here are five compelling reasons to pitch for a Rooral retreat?
You will stretch your legs so you can stretch your mind.
A fresh environment fuels creativity. Sitting in the same chair, staring at the same screen day after day, is no way to spark innovative ideas. Taking a Rooral sabbatical means swapping out monotony for mountain air, letting new surroundings help you solve old problems in unexpected ways.
A change in perspective can benefit your company in myriad ways.
Great ideas don’t come from fluorescent-lit conference rooms—they come from experiences, from shifting perspectives, from breaking routine. Working from
Rooral doesn’t just improve your well-being, it also enhances your ability to bring fresh insights and solutions back to your team—and in my humble experience, there’s nothing that a 15 minute conversation with a pueblo abuela (or puebuela, if you will) can’t fix.
A happier you is a better employee.
Burnout is real, and so is its cost to businesses. Studies show that happier employees are more productive, more engaged, and more likely to stick around. A Rooral sabbatical isn’t just a “nice break”—it’s an investment in long-term performance and job satisfaction.
You will find a rhythm that you can take back to your home and make work for you.
One of the best parts of a Rooral sabbatical is discovering a work-life balance that actually works. The ability to structure your day around both productivity and well-being is a skill you can bring back to your day-to-day, making your work more sustainable in the long run. After living off a hiking trail for three weeks, I discovered that the best way to start my day is with a long walk. Now, back at home, it’s a routine I’ve incorporated into my daily habits.
The office coffee pot will be less drained.
Let’s be honest—most of us rely on caffeine to survive the workday. But what if energy didn’t come from an IV drip of espresso, but from a fulfilling work environment? A Rooral sabbatical means fewer exhausted, over-caffeinated employees and more refreshed, engaged ones. Plus, your coworkers will thank you for not hoarding the last cup.
A Rooral sabbatical isn’t just an escape—it’s a recalibration. And if your boss needs convincing, remind them that a better, more creative, and more engaged employee is a win for everyone.
Slow down to move forward.
Join a rural coliving experience that prioritizes deep work, meaningful rest, and a way of living that fuels both your creativity and well-being.
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