Why Switching Off Feels So Hard

Just a quick peek, just a little look… those are the voices I’m hearing on the train, not to the office, but to the airport. For some reason, I’m fighting the urge to check in, to see what’s happening while I’m away. It’s unlikely much has changed between 7pm when I put my laptop down and 7am when I found myself rattling down the underground tracks.

So why am I so tempted to read emails, to continue supporting, to not switch off?

The easy answer is that we’re always connected. My personal phone is also my work phone, so I’m essentially always reachable, despite disabling notifications and never having a separate number. Because I can, I feel like I should.

For some, the answer lies in the behaviours of teammates or managers. But I’ve read studies showing more of us are now checking emails on Sundays, working weekends, unable to apply the once-ubiquitous 9–5. Our hours wouldn’t fit neatly into a Dolly Parton remix anymore.

The harder answer, and the one that rings true for me sometimes is a slight fear. Fear of falling behind. Fear that by taking time out, I won’t catch up, or won’t be able to hit the ground running on my return.

But it’s counterproductive. There’s no rest, no break, nothing to come back with, if you don’t allow yourself to step away. And stepping away is powerful for so many reasons. It gives you time to rest, to reset, and to support your wellbeing. It also gives others a chance to step up, to realise how much they depend on you and the value you bring.

Of course, not everyone has the luxury of being completely switched off. In fact, I suspect that’s a myth. But there are still steps you can take to detach more fully from work when you’re not supposed to be working. Here are a few I’ve found helpful:

1. Add your out-of-office dates to your email signature and MS Teams notes so your team knows leave is coming.

2. Before going on leave, create a handover (if possible) with what needs attention and where you’ve left open work.

3. Disable notifications and work profiles on personal devices, or limit yourself to one or two short check-in windows.

Being able to move from work to rest shouldn’t feel like a battle, or like something we don’t deserve. Yet since the pandemic, it increasingly feels like a luxury.

I’ve tried to put some of these tips into practice, and they’ve helped. Let me know what’s worked for you, and if you ever hear those same voices tempting you to “just take a quick look.”