LHi Gift of Time Spotlight: Julia Pylypenko’s Adventure

At LHi, we believe in celebrating loyalty and recognising the incredible contributions of our people. After ten years of service, every LHi’er receives a Gift of Time; the choice between a Rolex or a one-month sabbatical. It’s our way of saying thank you and giving back something truly meaningful.

Having been with LHi for over ten years, Julia Pylypenko, Group Finance Manager, recently decided to use her Gift of Time. We caught up with her to hear all about her experience, from how she made the most of her time to the reflections and insights she gained along the way:

 

Did you choose the Rolex or the one-month sabbatical, and what made that the right choice for you?

I chose the sabbatical. Time felt like the more meaningful gift - a chance to step away and invest in myself in a way no material thing could match. 

 

Where did you spend your Gift of Time, and what drew you to that destination?

I spent it in Bali, completing two trainings: (1) Yoga and (2) Breathwork & Somatics.

Somatics, in simple terms, is about connecting the mind and body,  learning to listen to how your body stores tension, emotion, and resilience, and how awareness and breath can help release that.

I wanted to do something that challenged me and taught me something new. Bali felt right - it’s known for being a place where people go to grow, not just travel.

 

What did you get up to during your trip?

A bit of everything 😊. I studied hard, dove deep into anatomy, philosophy, and nervous system work, spent time with elephants and monkeys, and even squeezed in a few beach days. It was the perfect mix of learning, challenge, and fun. 

 

How did it feel to step away from work completely for a whole month?

They say it takes 21 days to build a habit - well, we were training 12-hour days, six days a week, from 7am to 7pm. So imagine how many habits I built (and broke!) in 30 days.

It was a full-on human experience: physically intense through long yoga practices, mentally demanding through study, and emotionally raw at times. There were breakthroughs and moments when many wanted to quit. But that’s what made it meaningful. We supported each other through it all; strangers who became almost like family.

Now, ask me if I felt lazy coming back to work after a “month off”… 😅 not exactly.

 

 

Looking back, how would you sum up what the 'Gift of Time' means to you now?

It’s still settling in, but for me, the Gift of Time meant doing something 360° different - to step out of routine, learn something new, and challenge myself in a completely different environment.

 

If you could relive one day of your Bali sabbatical, which would it be and why?

Not one I’d relive, but one I’ll never forget, our graduation ceremony. On the first day of training, we were each given a single flower. On the last day, we had to destroy it 🌸.

It sounds harsh, but the message landed deep, even the most beautiful things must eventually be released to make space for what’s next. It was raw, beautiful, and freeing all at once.

 

 

Did the break give you any new perspectives or lessons that you’ve carried into your everyday life or work?

One of the reminders for me was that growth doesn’t happen in one corner of life, it overlaps. What I learned through movement and awareness shows up in how I handle challenges, decisions, and everyday interactions. Everything feeds everything.

 

What advice would you give to others who are deciding how to spend their own Gift of Time in the future?

Be intentional. For me, it meant choosing something that stretched me, physically, mentally, and emotionally. But it doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. Whether it’s rest, adventure, or learning something totally new - do something that brings you joy.

 

Anything else you took away from it all?

It was more than a trip, it was an expedition into self-discovery, learning, and perspective. I came back with sore muscles, a curious mind, a full heart, and somehow even more questions than before.

I’m grateful to work somewhere that gives people space to grow, in work and in life. It’s something I really value.