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The Best Out-of-Office Emails to Use When You Finally Take That PTO

V-A-C-A-Y!

Photo: Kindel Media for Pexels

Photo: Kindel Media for Pexels

We all know the sigh of relief we let out once we set that OOO email, but did you really get the message right? Sometimes setting our automatic responses gets confusing and we're not sure what information to include and not to include. But because we want everyone to enjoy more of themselves on vacation and less of their inboxes, we've drafted some messages to use for your next round of PTO days. 

How do you set your vacation responders? Let us know in the comments section!

Option 1

Hi there,

I’m away on an island somewhere taking some much-needed me-time. Please contact [NAME] at [EMAIL] during my absence as my phone is on “do not disturb.” 

Sincerely,

[NAME]

Option 2

Hi there,

I am currently out of office and will be returning on [date]. In the meantime, don’t forget to subscribe to [COMPANY NEWSLETTER] and follow us on [FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM LINKS] for all things [COMPANY NAME].

Best,

[NAME]

Option 3

Hello, 

I will be out of office from [date] to [DATE]. During this time I will have limited access to email, so please forgive my delay in response. 

Very Best,

[NAME]

Option 4

Hi there, 

I will be out of office from [DATE] to [DATE] and on vacation. If this matter is urgent, please contact [NAME] at [EMAIL]. Thank you!

Best,

[NAME]

Option 5

Hello, 

I am currently out of office with limited access to email and returning on [date]. 

For all [SUBJECT] inquiries please contact: [NAME] at [EMAIL]

For all [SUBJECT] inquiries please contact: [NAME] at [EMAIL]

Thank you!

Best,

[NAME]

Option 6

Hello!

I’m currently on island time and not checking my phone. Let’s catch up once I’m back on a 9-to-5 schedule on [DATE]. Thanks!

Best,

[NAME]

Option 7

Hi there, 

I am currently traveling and will have limited access to email. I will do my best to respond in a timely manner, but please excuse a delay in my response. If this matter is urgent, please contact [NAME] at [EMAIL]. 

Best,

[NAME]

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This story was originally published on July 13, 2018, and has since been updated.

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We Asked Entrepreneurs Their Best West Coast Vacation Reccomendations to Unplug

We took a pit stop from our WorkParty tour to continue enjoying San Francisco. WorkParty and Alaska Airlines threw a dinner party for some of our favorite Bay Area entrepreneurs at The Progress in SF. The Hawaii-themed soiree was everyone’s Instagram dream, and gave guests the perfect island vibes for unwinding and enjoying a night out in the city. As we all know, entrepreneurs are some of the hardest working people in the game, and there’s not always room to unwind and unplug. So, we had to ask the ladies in attendance what their favorite West Coast spot is to get out of the office and unplug.

“If you come to California, you have to go to Big Sur. You get the best of everything, including the ocean, mountains, hikes, rustic feels.”

“You need to go to Seattle in September or October. The light becomes golden and beautiful, and it’s the most beautiful time, it’s not too cold, and it doesn’t rain.”

“You can’t go to LA, without going to Venice Beach. You’ve got to hit up the boardwalk, and not only for sightseeing.”

“Ojai is so charming and beautiful.”

“If you need relaxation, you need to go to Palm Springs.”

“LA all day!”

“Go glamping in Mendocino. There’s no signal out there so you’re forced to unplug.”

Alaska Air was also kind enough to provide guests with roundtrip travel vouchers for anywhere they’d like to go. As if they already didn't get to feel like they were on vacation for one night, they’re now able to enjoy the real deal.

Have you already snagged a copy of WorkParty the book? If not, what are you waiting for? Purchase the book here.

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How to Have the Perfect Staycation When You Need a Break from Reality

When there’s no time for a real vacation, a staycation will do.

By: Tia Johnson

One of many saying my Pop-Pop bestowed onto me was, “It’s not where you’re going. It’s where you’re at.” In other words, focus on where you are and what you can do right now as opposed to constantly wishing to be somewhere else and not living in the moment. It’s okay to be present and just because you’re not where you want to be doesn’t mean you can’t make the experience enjoyable. That’s the mindset I want to focus on here. Let’s pull together some resources to make an epic stay-cation!

Below are seven cool ways you can enjoy the rest of your summer sans hopping on a plane to an all-inclusive resort. 

Continue Doing What You Love

Whether it’s a dance or wine party, continue to do what makes you happy. A reason why Summer vacation is such a big deal is due to the memories that are created. Don’t stop doing what ignites your creativity and your soul. Remember, you make the vacation. The vacation doesn’t make you.

Throw A Movie Marathon Party

Take a weekend to watch all of the Harry Potter movies. For the weekend party, make HP themed food and drinks, decorate with the HP props, invite a few of your gals over for HP trivia, make HP themed gift bags, go all out! Do one marathon a month and have it at another girlfriend’s house each time if possible.

Have an At-Home Spa Day

This can be done by yourself or with a group. Buy spa items, such as candles, facial masks, rose water sprays, rose quartz face rollers, robes, slippers, face towels, and basins to soak your feet in. Also, purchase rose gold themed champagne glasses, a few bottles of prosecco and a gallon of orange juice to make mimosas. Turn off your phones, spend the day in the bathrobes, soak your feet in the basin filled with warm water and peppermint Epsom salt, and play Words Against Humanity or 20 questions. Afterward, use the rose quartz face roller and spray rose water on your face and neck. Don’t forget to create a playlist! 

Attend Local Events

Google “Things to do in X city” or “Things to do in X city this weekend. During the Summer, there are many free concerts, festivals, or movies at the park. You can also have a picnic at a park. Some paid events in your city may include Dîner en Blanc, the all-white party held at a public location but the location is kept secret until the day of the event!

Stay At A Local Hotel Or B&B

Let someone cater to you by spending a weekend at a nice hotel where you can sleep in, order food, try their amenities, and recenter yourself.

Go For A Three-Hour Cruise

Wear your little black dress, leave your worries at home, and dance the night away for three hours. The three-hour cruises usually include a nice buffet, a fun DJ, and a positive atmosphere. You can take your drink to the deck and stare at the night sky while you feel the cool breezes from the river brush against your face. 

Do That Thing You Have Been Putting Off

How cool would it be if you can say, “I finish writing that book” or “I started my blog and I already have 10 posts live on the website!” Finally accomplishing that thing you have been putting of is so satisfying that FOMO won’t be a factor for you. 

BONUS: Create a scrapbook documenting all the things you have done this Summer. This will serve as a kind reminder that you don’t have to go far to have a good time!


Based in Philadelphia, Tia Johnson is a spiritual lifestyle entrepreneur, an international speaker, Amazon best-selling author, podcaster, blogger, and creator of The Spiritual Lifestyle Collective. Through spiritual teachings and healing, such as chakra and Reiki, she helps her clients to pinpoint the limiting beliefs that prevent them from living a phenomenal life they love, to heal emotional setbacks, and to create strategic plans to execute proactive actions on a personal or entrepreneurial level. 

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How to Go on Vacation with $1,000 or Less

We all need some PTO.

By: Tia Johnson

I have learned over the years that you don’t have to spend large sums of money to go on vacation and have a lovely time. Whenever I see a person win a prize vacation for a total value of $5,000, I would become confused. Several questions come to mind: Why does that vacation have to cost $5,000? Does it include food and drinks? What about an excursion or a tour? I believe that’s one of the main reasons why some people think they can’t go on a nice vacation unless they save their money for at least year or make considerable sacrifices to afford a vacation. Let’s look at seven creative ways you can go on a vacation for a $1,000 or less. 

Think of a Cost-Effective Plan

Having a game plan for how you will make the most of your vacation will save you from rushing to travel on holiday weekends or other popular travel periods, which can lead to overspending. Your game plan can consist of beach hopping with friends. For example, several weekends can be dedicated to going to the beach. You can stay at a house or an apartment via Airbnb, buy food that’s easy to cook, such as burgers and vegetables you can grill, and split the cost with your friends or whoever you're traveling with.

Look for Combo Deals

Groupon, Expedia, and Gate1Travel have getaways with hotel and airfare (and sometimes an excursion) included at various price points. Some trips (hotel + air) are as low as $499 when you travel with a friend. Other trips are for all-inclusive resorts where you don’t have to pay for food and drinks because it’s included in the price. However, you can go to a local market to buy food so you won’t eat out as much or you can pack your snacks in your checked bag.

Go on a Road Trip

My friends and I are going on a road trip from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Ottawa, Canada. We will split the cost of gas and we buy food for the journey. We rented a house through Airbnb that cost $97.62 per person. Based on our last road trip to Canada, the price of gas will be around $14/person and the price of food will vary. Think about where you can split the costs.

Book in Advance & Leave on a Thursday

Companies like Amtrak have deals where you can purchase tickets for cheap if you purchase it weeks in advance and preferably on an “off day” like a Tuesday or Thursday. Peak days are Fridays and Mondays because most people depart on Fridays and return on Mondays. 

Repurpose Your Wardrobe

Going on vacation usually means a trip to your favorite clothing store to buy a few articles of clothing. However, why not repurpose what you have? Below are several ways you can repurpose your clothes:

  • Create your own distress jeans look by cutting and ripping your jeans. 

  • Cut your jeans and make them shorts.

  • Tie the bottom of your shirt into a knot on the side on in the back.

  • Cut off the sleeves of a shirt.

  • Make a crop top shirt by cutting your shirt in the area just above your navel.

BONUS: If you are a blogger who has been consistent with posting good content and can provide a media page, you can ask a hotel representative if they are willing to collaborate with you. The collaboration will consist of you offering to write a blog post and an Instagram post about the hotel and, in return, you receive a complimentary stay. 


Based in Philadelphia, Tia Johnson is a spiritual lifestyle entrepreneur, an international speaker, Amazon best-selling author, podcaster, blogger, and creator of The Spiritual Lifestyle Collective. Through spiritual teachings and healing, such as chakra and Reiki, she helps her clients to pinpoint the limiting beliefs that prevent them from living a phenomenal life they love, to heal emotional setbacks, and to create strategic plans to execute proactive actions on a personal or entrepreneurial level.

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Professional Opinion: Maxie McCoy on When—and How—to Take a Sabbatical

Have you ever had a moment of such intense frustration that your mind wandered to ditching it all, putting your things in storage, moving to a foreign country to just be, and create. You probably shrugged it off as totally illogical. Completely impossible. Crazy. And irresponsible. But what you should really do the next time your mind goes there is do it. Literally do it. Take the leap.

Have you ever had a moment of such intense frustration that your mind wandered to ditching it all, putting your things in storage, moving to a foreign country to just be, and create. You probably shrugged it off as totally illogical. Completely impossible. Crazy. And irresponsible. But what you should really do the next time your mind goes there is go for it. Literally do it. Take the leap.

Around this time last year, a version of this happened to me. I had a dream business I wanted to launch. Everything else seemed like a block to it. A loud whisper told me to go. Instead of pushing it down, I gave it a microphone. And I went—to the other side of the world to Bali—where I created the foundation for my now very real dream. The next time you get the urge, call or screaming whisper to take some significant time away, re-read the answers to these questions, because they're probably the very same questions that are holding you back. 

What if I don't have enough in the bank?

I didn’t either. Truly. When I thought about needing to go away and jumpstart my dream, it was the last thing I had thought about or financially planned for. But then I learned the power of “and” by getting over my own fear. I learned it didn’t have to be one or the other—I could work a bit and still go away to work on my dream. I talked through it with a team that I loved, and had work I was grateful for. It was a win-win for everyone.

If that’s not realistic, then create a plan for what you would need. Having lived in a dream-place like Bali, it’s amazing how much less you need for your day to day. Get out an excel sheet. See what you’re working with. You’ll likely be pleasantly surprised.

Having space will provide clarity beyond anything you can imagine.

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What would I do solo for so long?

Everything. Nothing. Anything. You might surf. Or write. Or better yet create the foundation for your future business. Hire an intern to help you move things along. Finally sit down to create the business plan. Meditate. Stare at the ceiling. Having space will provide clarity beyond anything you can imagine. You’ll get into the groove of uninhibited creativity. And it’ll be momentum that will carry you and your dream work forward.

No matter what you do, you’ll learn what it means to find happiness and comfort from within. You’ll learn to rely on yourself for the comforts you need, instead of your usual external go-tos. And you’ll likely meet a lot of friends along the way, whether you stay close to home or travel to a faraway continent.

Will people think I’m crazy?

Totally possible. I’m sure many people thought I was. But the right people got it. And that’s what matters. Largely, people who are openly judgemental are simply experiencing something within themselves as they watch you go after something awesome.

And regardless of who judges, and who raises an eyebrow, I can promise you this: When you return, everyone will want to talk to you. You’ll be the business launch that has a very fun story. And you’ll have an experience so important to the development of your soul and your work in this world that what 'they' think is rockingly irrelevant.

Everyone needs some space. Space to breathe. To dance. And most importantly to dream. There’s no better place to jumpstart your future than on a sabbatical.

Maxie McCoy is the energy designer of Maxie, where she shares soul wisdom on the digital video series #maxie and her weekly writings. Maxie offers soul sessions, workshops, one-on-one coaching, and words of wisdom you really shouldn't miss. If you want your spiritual and emotional IQ shooting to the stars, follow along at maxiemccoy.com

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