my online communication quota
there’s a difference between being constantly present on a screen and being present with someone in real life.
i love spending time with friends and family, and i love meeting new people, too. but when online conversations never seem to end, i get so drained.
i like sharing something funny now and then or checking in with someone i care about. i just have a limited amount of energy for it. if i use it all up chatting with one person in a day, i might not be available online for the next couple of days.
it isn’t a measure of how much i care. it’s simply what i have room for. some days i’m chatty. other days, i read a message and don’t have the energy to reply until later.
i’m not trying to disappear or keep people at a distance. i just want to be present when i’m with someone, without feeling like i also have to be constantly available on a screen.
the people around me understand and respect this. still, it feels like so many people rely on constant online presence, especially when dating. just call me, make plans to meet, or invite me to something. let’s hang out. you know? we already spend so much time using screens for work and everyday errands. why not enjoy each other’s company in real life?