GREENSBORO, N.C. — It's time for 'My 2 Cents.'
It's okay not to be available, to everyone, all the time.
Let me repeat that, it's okay to not to be available, to everyone, all the time.
We live in a world of notifications. You can't go 60 seconds without a text, message, email, DM, update or alert buzzing or pinging your phone. Our natural reaction, of course, is to check it and react - whether that's answering a call, texting someone back or replying to an email. It's become the norm, you are conditioned to respond.
And that's a problem because it gives everyone constant access to you.
When you are always available and "on," you're going to be drained faster. In the moment it may just seem like you're chatting with a friend but by the end of the day you've had to juggle, work, family, life, chores and constant conversation.
I am not saying it's bad to respond to people, I'm saying set boundaries. Don't feel obligated to reply immediately. Carve out some time and cut out any expectation of instantaneous contact.
It's okay not to be available, to everyone, all the time.