New Delhi, Sept. 11 -- For many, retirement is something to look forward to at 60. But younger professionals are increasingly opting for "micro-retirements", shorter, self-funded breaks that allow them to travel, explore and recharge in the middle of their careers.

One such example is Melbourne-based digital marketer Zara Lim. The 30-year-old told Yahoo Finance that she quit her job in mid-2023 to take an 18-month break across Europe and Asia. Having saved aggressively during the pandemic, Lim relied on her savings and occasional freelance work to fund her travels.

Her journey included once-in-a-lifetime moments, from watching cherry blossoms bloom in Korea to witnessing the Northern Lights in Norway. "Having a really long break allows ...