Out of Office, Into Life: How to Actually Unplug on Vacation
In theory, vacation is supposed to be all about relaxation. Recharge, reset, relax, right?
But if you’ve ever found yourself constantly checking emails by the pool or worrying about work while you’re supposed to be exploring a new city... you know it’s easier said than done.
Unplugging takes intention.
And the truth is, if you don't protect your time off, no one else will.
Here’s your step-by-step guide to setting work boundaries, preparing your team, and (most importantly) giving yourself full permission to be present while you travel.
Before You Leave: Set the Stage for Peace
✅ Set Up an Empowered Out-of-Office Autoresponder
Your email reply is the first boundary people will bump into — and you want it to be strong, clear, and unapologetic.
When you write it:
Avoid apologetic language like "Sorry for the inconvenience" or "Unfortunately, I’m not available..."
Women, this is especially important for us as we tend to constantly apologize for our lives. Be confident and be assertive. You deserve this and you do NOT need to apologize for prioritizing yourself. Shake that unconscious bias!
Own your time off proudly.
Offer a clear alternative for urgent needs (like a backup contact).
Here’s an example you can steal and customize:
Thank you for your email!
I am currently out of the office for vacation and will return on [Date]. During this time, I will not be checking emails regularly.
If your matter is urgent, please contact [Alternate Contact Name] at [Contact Info]. Otherwise, I look forward to connecting with you upon my return.
Wishing you a wonderful week!
See? No apologies. Just facts (feel free to add in something cute about where you’re going or what you’ll be doing to make it fun!).
✅ Delegate with Clarity (and Trust)
If you’re worried about work piling up while you’re gone, remember: you are allowed to lean on your team or trusted colleagues.
Set them up for success by:
Making a quick checklist of what’s important.
Handing off decision-making authority where needed.
Trusting them to handle it without you peeking over their shoulder (even virtually).
Delegation isn’t a weakness. It’s a leadership skill.
✅ Communicate Your Boundaries Early
Talk to your team, clients, or leadership before you leave.
Let them know your availability expectations (which might be "none") and stick to it.
Important:
Set the tone confidently.
Don’t explain your reasons or over-justify your absence.
You are a human, not a machine. Humans rest. Full stop.
During Your Vacation: How to Stay Present
✅ Physically Disconnect
– Leave the laptop at home if you can.
– Turn off notifications for work apps. (No "just checking" Slack, works apps, or email pop-ups!)
– Activate Focus Mode or Do Not Disturb on your devices.
Even better? Consider taking a social media detox too. Take a break from all the noise.
✅ Create a Daily Presence Ritual
Each morning, take 2–5 minutes to ground yourself:
Close your eyes.
Take a deep breath.
Feel the ground under your feet.
Say (out loud if you can):
"Today, I choose to be fully here."
It sounds simple. It is simple.
And it works.
✅ Limit Mindless Tech Time
If you’re using your phone for photos, awesome. But set a rule for yourself about scrolling — maybe a 10-minute window in the evening if you really want to check in (beware doom scrolling!).
Otherwise?
Let yourself live in the moment instead of documenting every second for later.
✅ Catch and Release Guilt
If guilt creeps in (and let’s be real, it might), pause.
Gently remind yourself:
"Choosing rest doesn't make me irresponsible.
It makes me sustainable."
Say it again if you need to. As many times as it takes.
The Truth About Boundaries
You are not selfish for protecting your well-being.
You are not irresponsible for taking a break.
You are not abandoning anyone by stepping back for a little while.
In fact, by setting healthy boundaries, you’re showing the people around you what healthy looks like.
Think of it as setting an example for those in your personal and work life. Don’t be that manager that tells your team to take time off without doing it yourself. Not only does it make your actions inconsistent with your words, it creates an unspoken expectation that this is the behavior you want to see from your team, too (which it is not and should not be).
You are creating space for your best ideas, your best work, your best self to thrive.
And honestly?
That’s something to be proud of.
Closing
So if you’re planning a getaway — even a quick one — remember:
This time is yours.
You don’t have to apologize for protecting it.
You don’t have to feel guilty for being human.
You don’t have to do anything except be fully, wholly present where your feet are.
I’d love to hear from you:
👉 What’s the hardest part about unplugging for you?
👉 Any tricks you’ve found that help you stay present while traveling?
Drop a comment below — let’s support each other in protecting our peace. 🖤
Yours in flight,
Tianna
