When you’re toiling away at work for months and years on end, the idea of retirement feels very vague and far away.

That’s why more workers are exploring alternative approaches to their career timelines. Enter: micro-retirement.

What exactly does this term mean and how does it work? Below, career and finance experts break down micro-retirement, from the pros and cons to the best practices for trying it out in your own life.

Of course, this approach isn’t realistic or accessible for everyone ― especially workers in certain types of jobs or those in financially precarious positions where taking extended breaks simply isn’t an option. Still, for those who do have the flexibility, micro-retirement offers a way to rethink the traditional career arc.

What is ‘micro-retirement’?