Any freelancers out there struggle with actually putting up an “Out of Office” message? Even when I go out of town, I still like to be available to my clients, and because I work remotely anyway, continue to work as much as feels right.

If I still worked in an office, my message would look something like this…

Subject: Beth’s out of the office
Hi there,

I will be out of the office from December 23rd through December 27th.

If you need immediate assistance during my absence, please contact my associate, Will (email HERE). Otherwise I will respond to your emails as soon as possible upon my return.

Warm Regards,
Beth

But that just doesn’t feel quite right when working from home/for myself. (I mean…I don’t have an office to be out of and I also don’t have any associates.)

Inspired by this post on Normal Happenings, here’s that same message in a (goofy) Shakespearean style.

Subject: Elizabethan O.of O. from Elizabeth
Good Morrow Thither,

I wilt beest out of the office from December 23rd through December 27th.

If ‘t be true thee needeth immediate assistance during mine absence, please contact mine associate, William Shakespeare. Otherwise I wilt respond to thy correspondence with expedience upon mine noble return.

Your most dutiful friend and servant,
Elizabeth

Every day, Normal Happenings posts a writing prompt for appreciating daily life. They call them “Daily Inklings.” I’m so glad I was tagged in this particular “Daily Inkling” because it really got me thinking about how difficult it can be to take a break from your inbox when you work a less traditional job.

I’d love to make it a goal in 2019, to take  time off where I actually set up an out of office! What do you think? Any tips on what it should say?

This option would be cute —

Subject: Vacation’s all I ever wanted 🏖️
Whoops! You caught my inbox while I’m on vacation so I won’t be opening this bad boy up until July 22. If your message is urgent, please reach out by phone. K, Bye!

This one…maybe not ballsy enough for quite yet —

Subject: Sending you this out-of-office from my “office”
Thank you so much for your email.

Technically I’m out of office this week. However, since I work remotely… my out of office IS my office. Very confusing, I know. Anywho, I’ll be working through these emails in the order they appear in my inbox once I’m back at it on October 14th. (So, quit hitting reply! It just pushes you further down the line.)

Talk soon,
Beth

What are your thoughts on OUT OF OFFICE messages? Would you take a crack at writing one in the style of a famous author?

P.S. If you’re a blogger, check out the INKLINGS over on Normal Happenings! Their daily prompts are always thought provoking and a great way to bust through writer’s block. 🙂