Go on, you know you want to!
Holidays are sacred. It’s just a shame that we live in a culture that doesn’t always lean into that. Is it any wonder, then, that poor mental health and burnout stats are at an all-time high?
It’s not good. And as creatives, we know that when the gears start grinding, the innovation starts waning.
Out of office, but not out of your mind
Switching off on holiday is about more than swapping Slack for sangria. And it isn’t always as simple as turning on your out-of-office – no matter how cute and quirky you’ve made that OOO auto-response.
The temptation to “just check in” while queuing for an ice cream, scan the amends on a sun lounger, or secretly reply to emails under the table while the waiter reads the specials is like a dirty little addiction. But guess what, this isn’t Trainspotting, LIFE IS TOO SHORT, and your holiday is even shorter.
Holiday like you mean it
So, if you want to avoid another row with your spouse, or the inevitable guilt of missing a badly executed first dive in the pool from your offspring, here’s our no-nonsense guide to getting some actual R&R.
- Ditch the guilt. You’re allowed to rest.
We’ve been conditioned to believe that being busy equals being valuable. But plot twist: rest is productive. Switching off is not slacking off. You need time away to reboot your brain, refill your creative tank, and remember what blue sky looks like when it’s not in a pitch deck.
Hot tip:
Your value doesn’t vanish because your Wi-Fi does, so down tools and keep them down. If you can’t set boundaries for yourself, what hope do those who look up to you have? You owe them a happy role model, sweetie.
- Prep like a pro
The smoother your handover, the easier your exit. Brief your team properly, set realistic boundaries, and resist the urge to leave like a chaotic tornado. A clean break helps everyone win — including future-you.
Checklist energy:
- Activate your out-of-office (please don’t forget)
- Set Slack statuses and boundaries (no, you don’t have to reply actually)
- Make sure no one’s waiting on you for a crucial sign-off
- Tell clients beforeyou disappear, and don’t be afraid to outline a realistic timeline that works for you as well as them.
- Make your OOO message do the heavy lifting
A great out-of-office sets expectations and deflects guilt. Don’t follow trends or over-explain. You don’t owe people every part of you, and they sure as potato salad wouldn’t tolerate it the other way around.
So, when you’re setting your OOO. Remember, it’s not “I’m so sorry I’m away, I promise I’ll make it up to you.” It’s: “I’m prioritising rest because I’m a human, not a robot.”
Example:
“Thanks for your email! I’m currently out of office, recharging my creative battery and not looking at emails (no, really). If it’s urgent, contact [colleague]. Otherwise, I’ll get back to you when I return on [date]. Cheers!”
- You don’t owe your inbox anything
Let’s be real. That email can wait. This is, of course, based on the assumption that most people reading this aren’t the world’s number one neurosurgeon or the Emperor of the World. So, for the rest of us, yes, that can wait. Spoiler alert: the world will keep on turning without you, and people are more capable than you think. These days, we tend to overburden ourselves and underestimate those around us. Work will happen without you, and that client will still be there when you get back. And guess what? You’ll handle it better after a break.
Boundaries are brave. And necessary. And very on trend (lol).
- Model the behaviour you want to see
If you’re a leader, setting the tone matters. When you honour your own downtime, you give your team permission to do the same. Let people see you unplug. Don’t be the one sending emails from the beach. Martyrdom will only help create a culture of anxiety amongst your team. Plus, how would you feel if someone read an email from YOU when they were supposed to be on holiday and felt obliged to answer it? Our guess is, pretty darn pretty.
Protect yourself, protect your team, and protect the integrity of your work – simples.
Final thoughts: go forth and log off
You are not a machine. You’re a wonderfully weird, creative human who needs rest to thrive. So, take the trip. Read the book. Drink the poolside spritz. Leave the guilt at home.
And, if you do fancy having a creative-infused giggle while hiding under a sunhat, why not take a listen to our new fun-filled design podcast, Nuts About Design? Listen in here.
We’ll all be better for it when you come back recharged, refreshed, and with at least one story involving SPF and a minor mishap.
Happy switching off!
Love,
Pistachio x