Why I Swear by My Mariah Carey-Inspired Automatic Email Replies

Let’s be honest: after a particularly long and exhausting term, hitting “send” on a standard Out-of-Office (OOO) email can feel like the biggest relief in the world. Cue the music: in my head, it’s always Mariah Carey—my idol—belting out “It’s time to rest, baby!” instead of her usual hits. And that’s exactly the vibe I want to share with my students and colleagues when I set up my automatic email replies.

“I Survived” OOO Messages

My OOO replies aren’t exactly subtle. In one of them, I wrote:

Some might argue this is a bit dramatic (blame it on Mariah’s influence), but the tone is purposeful. I want my students and colleagues to see, front and center, that it’s okay to take a break. We’re human, not automated machines.

The Response? Pure (Hilarious) Gold

Interestingly, I’ve gotten so many responses from both students and faculty saying how much they appreciate the humor. People tell me it makes them smile to open an OOO that isn’t just, “I will be out of the office until XYZ date. Please contact so-and-so.” It’s a reminder that taking time off should be seen as normal, even joyful.

Even more importantly, I’ve heard from others that they love how my OOO highlights the message: it is absolutely all right—even necessary—to rest. This job is just that: a job. Don’t get me wrong; I adore what I do. As a critical disability studies scholar, I feel truly called to my work. But at the end of the day, we all need to shut down, switch off, and recharge.

Modeling a Different Approach for Students

In academia, there’s an unspoken rule that we always have to be “on.” But I refuse to buy into that. Part of being a critical disability studies scholar means recognizing how systems (academic or otherwise) can perpetuate burnout. If I don’t set an example for my students, research assistants, or mentees, who will?

When I send out a Mariah-inspired OOO, it’s really a small, digital way of telling them:

• You are allowed to rest.

• You are not failing if you step away from your inbox.

• You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your well-being in the name of so-called endless search for productivity.

A Culture Shift, One High Note at a Time

What if we all started taking our out-of-office messages more seriously—and more playfully at the same time? We could change the culture around how we view rest in academia. Right now, the prevailing sentiment is “publish or perish,” “respond promptly or risk irrelevance,” “grade faster or drown in papers.” But what if we, step by step, email by email, reminded each other that we deserve a break?

Embrace Your Inner Mariah

My advice? Have a little fun when you set up your OOO. Maybe it’s not Mariah Carey for you; maybe you’re more of a Beyoncé, Dolly Parton, or Lizzo kind of person. Whatever your style, infuse a bit of personality into your message—along with a strong reminder that you’re recharging for a reason. A healthy, rested you is going to be a better teacher, colleague, researcher, and overall human.

In Conclusion: Rest On, Y’all

Yes, I could set a buttoned-up OOO that simply reads, “I will be away from my email until Monday. Please expect a delayed response.” But where’s the joy in that? Where’s the acknowledgment that, “I survived a heck of a term, and I deserve some rest!”?

By weaving humor and honesty into these messages, I’m hoping to spark a tiny ripple effect in our academic pond—one that encourages folks to take a page out of Mariah’s songbook and belt out their right to rest.

So, next time you’re about to flip on that OOO switch, give yourself permission to channel your own Mariah. Tell them you survived, you’re recharging, and you’ll be back, better than ever. Trust me, your future self (and your email recipients) will thank you.