diff --git a/.github/workflows/stale.yml b/.github/workflows/stale.yml
index c6ae9dd7..4cb9fc95 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/stale.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/stale.yml
@@ -22,14 +22,24 @@ jobs:
         with:
           repo-token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           stale-issue-message:
-            "This issue will be closed since it has been stale for 60 days."
+            "This issue has had no activity for 60 days, so it has been marked
+            as stale. If it is still relevant, just leave a comment and the
+            label will be removed — otherwise it will close in 14 days. Closed
+            issues can always be reopened. Thanks for helping keep the tracker
+            healthy!"
           stale-pr-message:
-            "This pull request will be closed since it has been stale for 60
-            days."
+            "This pull request has had no activity for 60 days, so it has been
+            marked as stale. If you are still working on it, just leave a
+            comment and the label will be removed — otherwise it will close in
+            14 days. Closed pull requests can always be reopened."
+          close-issue-message:
+            "Closing due to inactivity. This is housekeeping, not a judgement
+            on the issue — if it is still relevant, please reopen or leave a
+            comment and it will get another look."
           stale-issue-label: "no-issue-activity"
           stale-pr-label: "no-pr-activity"
           days-before-stale: 60
-          days-before-close: 0
+          days-before-close: 14
           remove-stale-when-updated: true
           operations-per-run: 100
-          exempt-issue-labels: 'keep,security'
+          exempt-issue-labels: 'keep,security,bug,confirmed'