Switching off: The great leave debate - To check or not to check?

Ah, the sweet, sweet symphony of the out-of-office message! That glorious moment when the promise of relaxation stretches before me like a sun-drenched beach, and I can almost hear the tiny violins playing. And let me tell you, after just spending ten delightful days soaking up the European sun, I can confirm that promise of switching off was delivered! But then, that little nagging voice still whispers, "Shouldn't I just keep an eye on things?"

Out of office = ON

If you're anything like me, this internal debate rages every time I dare to step away from the daily grind. On one side, the "responsible professional" who secretly believes the company will crumble without my vigilant oversight (perhaps an exaggeration...) On the other, the weary soul craving genuine rest, rejuvenation, and perhaps a nap that lasts longer than 20 minutes.

I'd already taken a fantastic first step by turning off notifications before heading to Europe. Gold star for me! That's like putting up a "do not disturb" sign on the door to my mental sanctuary. But the real question was: was I really going to disturb myself?

The allure of "keeping an eye on things"

I get it. The urge to peek at emails, to quickly check in with a colleague, stems from a place of good intention. I worry about urgent issues arising, about letting the team down, about returning to a mountain of backlog that could rival Mount Everest. This "keeping an eye on things" can feel like a safety net, a way to maintain control and ease the transition back to work.

Perhaps I told myself it'd only take five minutes a day. "Just a quick glance!" I'd rationalize, "I'm not saving lives here, but I am keeping this deal alive!" But here's the tragic truth: even a fleeting glance can pop the precious bubble of your break before you can say 'vacation vibes.'

Why "completely ignoring things" could be crucial for rejuvenation (and your sanity)

Think of your mind like a finely tuned, slightly neurotic computer. It runs countless processes throughout the day, constantly absorbing information and solving problems (like where you left your keys, what updates you made to a slide, who you need to call, etc.). When you take leave, it's your chance to shut down those energy-draining work programs and allow your system to defragment, recharge, and maybe even dream of a sunny terrace accompanied by a Spritz.

Constantly checking in, even for a few minutes, keeps those work-related processes humming in the background. For me, it prevents my ability to fully detach, to truly immerse myself in the present moment, whether that's exploring a new city, spending quality time with loved ones, or simply enjoying the blissful silence of not having to think about spreadsheets.

The impact on rest and rejuvenation (spoiler: it's not good)

Genuine rest isn't just about physical inactivity; it's about mental disengagement. When I'm still mentally tethered to work, my stress levels remain elevated, my sleep can be disrupted, and my ability to truly relax diminishes. It's like trying to relax in a spa while someone keeps whispering about quarterly reports.

Completely disconnecting allows my brain to shift gears. It gives me the space to process experiences, to nurture creativity, and to return to work with a fresh perspective and renewed energy. I definitely found that the small anxieties I harbored in the lead up to my vacation faded into insignificance when I was truly rested.

Finding the balance that works

While the idea of completely ignoring things might feel daunting, I really focused on embracing it during my European trip as the most effective way to maximize the benefits of my leave. While I'm still learning to practice what I preach, here are a few strategies I attempted to use to help achieve this blissful state of work amnesia:

• Delegate effectively: Before I left, I made sure my responsibilities were clearly delegated to capable colleagues. And I figure, if the situation arises where a genuine emergency occurs, the team will handle it. They're smart, capable adults, and they're not going to let the office burn down because I'm enjoying a well-deserved margarita. I really try to trust my team – they've got this. They really do! And if they don't, well, that's a problem for future me, not vacation me...

• Set clear boundaries: I communicated my unavailability clearly in my out-of-office message and to my team. I emphasized that I would not be checking emails. My out of office read: "I am currently out of office, getting some European sun, and will respond to your email with mild enthusiasm only after my time out." I think they got the 'do not disturb' message.

• Identify true emergencies: I discussed with my team what constitutes a genuine emergency and how they should handle it in my absence (ideally, it shouldn't require my direct involvement). I reminded myself that unless someone's actual life is at stake (and let's be real, it's probably not in my line of work), it can wait.

• Resist the urge: This was the hardest part. When the urge to check crept in, I tried to actively distract myself with something enjoyable - not hard in Europe to be fair! I reminded myself why I took this leave in the first place. Was it to answer emails about slide content? Definitely not. Did a few peeks happen? Yes, but I tried to cap any work derailment at 10-15 mins.

• Trust the system: The workplace should ideally have systems in place to handle any absence. If it doesn't, that's a conversation to have upon return, not during my well-deserved break. The world did not stop spinning because I wasn't there to personally approve every single report amendment.

Now this may not be the best approach for all; some colleagues swear by full disconnection for a true reset, while others prefer doing a focused 30 to 60 minutes of work first thing, so they don’t come back to an overwhelming inbox. I'm still figuring out what recharges me best, but my European adventure definitely pushed me towards the 'glorious neglect' side.

I allowed myself the gift of complete mental rest (mostly!). Having the opportunity to take time out can sometimes be more overwhelming than it should be, but I feel (and I think most of society feel) that time away from work - annual leave, PTO or whatever your benefits are, are a vital necessity and basic right in the workplace that should be taken advantage of. Some workplace cultures thrive on the busy-ness of the constant rat-race, but I'm working on the part where I set expectations around my leave to ensure that I can fully unwind at least a few times a year (do I hear another vacation planning...?)

I returned from Europe feeling not just refreshed, but genuinely rejuvenated and ready to tackle whatever awaits me (including that mountain of backlog, which, let's be honest, was probably there before I left anyway).

So, I did go forth and disconnect, and my sanity (and my team) will thank me!