By: Sean Gallagher, CFP®
One of our primary responsibilities as wealth advisors is helping clients navigate the delicate see-saw of life’s two most precious resources – time and money. While financial planning often takes center stage, I’ve found that conversations about how people spend their time can be just as impactful, if not more so. After all, money can be earned, saved, and invested—but time, once spent, is gone for good.
We all have the same 24 hours in a day—no more, no less. For ambitious professionals, those hours can disappear quickly between work, sleep, and the countless demands of daily life. What’s left often amounts to only a short window of time to focus on the things that truly matter. Amid the daily grind, making sure every moment moves you closer to the life you always imagined is important.
From mid-May to mid-June, I was happy to participate in HIGHLAND’s sabbatical program, which involves four weeks of paid leave to step away and disconnect from work entirely. The rules are simple – spend your time on what’s most meaningful to you—no checking email. No reaching out to colleagues for work. A complete unplug to focus on what matters to you.
My sabbatical took shape in three simple parts:
My Wedding
Honeymoon
Time with Friends & Family
Wedding
I know what you’re thinking—getting married during a sabbatical sounds like odd timing. But no, this wasn’t a spontaneous trip to Vegas. In fact, our wedding was nearly two years in the making. I ended up postponing my sabbatical to align perfectly with the big day.
You’d think that with two years of planning, the final week would be smooth sailing—but there was still plenty left to do. I was incredibly grateful to be home and fully present to handle it all without the usual work distractions.
As for the day itself, it could not have been more perfect. I know I speak for my wife, Meghan, as well when I say it was the best day of our lives. Surrounded by family and friends, we ate, laughed, and danced until the early morning. And in true fashion for those who know us well, we closed it out at our favorite Irish pub, Grasshopper Off The Green, in Morristown.
Honeymoon
Our honeymoon began with a few days in Napa, California, where we explored the area's wineries and traditions.
We then continued our trip to Hawaii, staying at a resort on Maui. While Meg and I only require a beach and sunlight to be happy, our trip had many more highlights to offer:
An authentic Hawaiian Luau at sunset, including a multi-course feast.
The Road to Hana, where we rented a car to explore waterfalls, lava tubes, beaches, a bamboo forest, and more.
Hiking the Waihee Ridge Trail, which eventually led us into the clouds at the top of the mountain.
A sunset sail out of the Maalaea Harbor, which turns out to be the second windiest harbor in the world.
Golf at the scenic Wailea Golf Club.
Dinner at the Four Seasons, where season one of White Lotus was filmed.
While no one enjoys the end of a vacation, our return home wasn’t as tough as expected. We left feeling confident that we truly made the most of our trip.
Time With Friends & Family
The final week of my sabbatical was capped off with quality time spent with friends and family. We were eager to reconnect, hear their thoughts on the wedding, and catch up on all the moments we missed during the long day. We also celebrated my stepmother’s retirement and my father-in-law’s birthday, while squeezing in a few rounds of golf in between.
While the sabbatical was by far the longest I’ve ever spent without working since starting my career, I found myself wondering where all the days went by the end of it.
Final Thoughts
Taking time away from work to begin our marriage and enjoy our honeymoon was one of the most meaningful decisions I’ve made. It allowed us the space to be fully present, to celebrate the start of this new chapter, and to grow even closer as partners. Stepping away from the routine and responsibilities of daily life reminded me just how important it is to prioritize what truly matters. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to invest that time into our relationship, and even more inspired to help others do the same in their own lives.
Of course, I couldn’t have taken this time away without the incredible support of my colleagues, who generously stepped in to cover for me during my absence. I’m also grateful to our leadership team for creating a culture and implementing policies that prioritize employees’ well-being. And to my clients, thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued trust while I was offline. I’m genuinely appreciative of each and every one of you!
Sean Gallagher is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ at HIGHLAND Financial Advisors, a Fee-Only financial planning firm that offers comprehensive financial planning, retirement planning, and investment management. Sean graduated from Virginia Tech’s financial planning program in 2018 and successfully passed the CFP® national exam in 2019. As a Financial Planner at HIGHLAND Financial Advisors, Sean works on developing comprehensive financial plans and investment management for all clients.