You finally got approved for annual leave. Congratulations. You even sent out that “I’ll be out of office from the 5th to the 19th” email and changed your WhatsApp bio to “OOO.” So why are you still replying emails during brunch with the girls?
Let’s talk. Nigerians are hardworking; too hardworking, sometimes. We carry laptop bags to weddings, take Zoom calls during vacations, and even respond to mails in church. For what? Best in dedication?
This post is a friendly reminder: you are allowed to rest. And here’s how to actually do it, without feeling like you’ve abandoned your ancestors.
1. Set the Tone Before You Leave
Don’t ghost your colleagues. Don’t drop everything and disappear like some politicians after elections.
Before your leave starts:
Wrap up key projects or hand them over.
Brief your team on what to expect while you’re away.
Set your out-of-office (OOO) reply. And yes, you can make it polite but firm. Something like:
“I’m currently on leave and will return on August 20. For urgent matters, please contact [Insert relief officer’s name].”
Let people know you’re not available, and stick to it.
2. Delete the Email App (Temporarily, Relax)
This is for the brave ones.
If you really want to unplug, take the bold step: temporarily delete or log out of your work email app. Out of sight, out of mind. It won’t kill you, and guess what? The office will survive.
No one ever died because they didn’t reply to a “noted with thanks” email within 30 minutes.
3. Turn Off Notifications
If deleting the app feels too extreme (we understand), at least turn off your notifications. No be everything dem dey pick. Constant buzzing will stress you out and tempt you to “just check something small.”
Your leave is not the time to play mental table tennis between relaxation and guilt.
4. Do Things That Actually Refill Your Tank
Leave is not just for sleeping; though sleep is highly recommended. Use this time to do things that energize you:
Visit family or friends you haven’t seen in a while.
Go somewhere new (it doesn’t have to be Dubai, places still dey for Naija).
Read something that’s not a memo.
Watch nonsense shows guilt-free.
Your body and brain are not machines. You need moments where you’re not being productive; just being present.
5. Stop Feeling Guilty for Resting
This one is hard, especially if you grew up hearing things like, “Hard work never kills.”
Well, burnout does.
Rest is not laziness. Taking time off doesn’t make you unserious or replaceable. It makes you human. Even God rested on the 7th day: you, a human being, want to work through all 365?
Please don’t be a martyr for your job. No award is coming for “Employee Who Didn’t Rest.” Take your leave proudly.
The Point
Work will always be there. It never finishes. Even if you clear your inbox today, it will refill by tomorrow morning
When you come back refreshed, recharged, and reloaded, everybody benefits; including the same workplace you were trying to impress.
Now go ahead: log out, sleep in, and stop replying emails at 11:48 p.m. You’re on leave, biko. Act like it.
