Mini-sabbaticals, adult ‘gap years’ growing in popularity

From KTVU FOX | February 24, 2026

A growing number of professionals are stepping away from their careers for mini-sabbaticals, adult gap years, and even so-called micro-retirements. Kia Afcari, the director of UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, joined us on 'The Nine' for insight on the trend.

“We scientists need partnerships with organizations like the GGSC because we’re not experts in reaching loads of people on a regular basis. Providing sustained delivery of content that’s thoughtful, not over-the-top, appropriately measured, and empirically grounded—that’s what the GGSC does better than anybody.”

― Barbara Fredrickson, Ph.D., Kenan Distinguished Professor of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill