Live, Laugh, Log Off: Making Connections Without Connectivity

What’s your best OOO reply? 

As the CEO of an employee engagement firm, let me say it clearly: you're no good to anyone if you're burned out. 

In many countries, unplugging is normal. Encouraged, even. But here? We write the perfect OOO message, then check email “just in case.” 

Remember, if you don’t respect your time off, no one else will! 

This summer, let’s do better. Let’s get reengaged by getting disconnected. Live, laugh, log off; no Wi-Fi. No pings. Just presence. 

Bonus points if your out-of-office setup includes sunscreen, snacks, and watching the sunset with your feet in the sand. 

Need help setting the tone? Here are some fun options for your OOO reply: 

Let’s move from this: 

Out of Office (But Still Under the Knife) "I’m currently out for a minor surgical procedure, nothing too serious, just enough stitches to justify logging off for a few hours. If it’s urgent, please feel free to call my cell. I’ll try to answer before the anesthesia fully kicks in. Because rest is optional, but responsiveness is forever." 

To: 

Currently Pursuing Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Snacks Happy Fourth! I'm away from my inbox because liberty called, and it brought beer and burgers. I’ll be back on [Insert Return Date] with minimal typing speed due to over-celebration. Until then, may your hot dogs be perfectly grilled and your Wi-Fi signals strong. 

Email and I Are Taking Some Time Apart My inbox and I are currently taking some time apart. We just needed space. I’ll be reuniting with it on [Insert Date], assuming we’ve both grown from this time apart. 

Building Synergy with Silence I’m out of office and momentarily free from the performance art of productivity. Until I return on [Insert Date], feel free to leverage asynchronous communication strategies (aka: email and wait). 

Synergizing With the Concept of Silence I’m currently out of office, harmonizing with the ancient art of not replying. Please hold all non-urgent communications until [Insert Date]. Or forever, your call. 

Leaning Into Life, Logging Out of Email Leaning Into Life, Sunshine, Spontaneity, and the Kind of Freedom You Can't Schedule on Outlook. I’ll be back on [Insert Date]. Messages will be read in the order of how dramatic they sound. 

Riding Waves, Not Replies  

I’ve temporarily traded my inbox for tide charts. If it’s urgent, try writing it in the sand. If the ocean doesn't answer, I’ll get back to you after [Insert Date]. 

Thank you for your message I’m currently embracing a limited-connectivity model to foster independent problem-solving among my colleagues. I’ll return on [Insert Date], prepared to nod thoughtfully in meetings once again. 

Currently Prioritizing Sunsets Over Spreadsheets Executing a low-stakes beach strategy with high ROI (Rest Over Inbox). 

Pursuing Joy at Scale Implementing happiness at scale, one beach read at a time. 

Reconnecting with Life Currently upgrading from “always on” to “fully present.” 

What’s the best or funniest OOO message you’ve ever seen? Drop it below. Let’s build a shared archive of clever auto-replies and finally normalize logging all the way off.