It’s easy! Here’s how:

Click your name at the top of the Messenger window. That opens up a list of options. Just click the one that fits!

If you want to write your own status message (such as "back in 5 minutes"), click inside the menu below your name, where it says “share a status message…”. Type your message and press “Enter” on your keyboard. It’s that easy! You can also click the down-arrow to choose from other status messages options, or ones you’ve written.

Your custom status message now appears next to your Yahoo! ID in other peoples’ Messenger lists.

Please note: Messenger remembers the last 5 custom status messages so you can quickly re-select them. Older custom status messages will be deleted as you create new ones.