New Rule #1

Facebook, texts, email, phone calls, IM, blogs, Twitter, voicemail. For those of us who are "plugged in" in some way, shape or form, life has become a little more complicated than it used to be. Back when I was in high school, for instance... little if any of this was used. I had a beeper, folks. Right after high school, I had a beeper. And I was either near a phone I could use or I wasn't. I'd call you back when I had a chance. (Of course, if it was a boy I liked, I made sure to call back just that much quicker.)

But now... all of this keeping up with technology and with friends and family has become a bit intrusive. Don't you think?

As of late, I've been feeling a strain. Slightly torn. I have always answered my texts right away. Been strangely proud of this fact. But - anymore - I have been turning my volume down, just a bit more often. When I accidentally leave my phone at home for the day... I'm strangely relieved but still curious if it's making noise or not. It's the few folks that respond "hello? where are you?" and "where'd you go?" that put me a bit on edge. I need my brain back for me sometimes. I remember the days when you would get home and listen to your messages then you call people back accordingly. I'm taking a stance... here and now... that this is more of what my life is going to be from now on. If I have plans with you tonight, my phone will be by my side... just in case you need to call or text or the like. If I have no plans with you tonight... my volume will be down. I can check at my convenience my messages... I'm sorry but this is the way it has to be.

Strangely, I think (for the most part) that I'm the one putting pressure on myself about this. I think I just might be the one who feels like I need to get back to people before ASAP. I think I might be the one that feels that inner tug that they may get mad or upset or angry if I don't get right back to them. Some of the need to get right back to people is conditioning from outside influences. Some of it is just plain ol' me. It's not about wanting to ignore people, it's more about wanting to pay attention to myself. I'll get back to you... I promise. Just not right this second... right this second I'm trying to reach Zen or cook or clean or shower or pray or write or drive or exercise. Right now I need to take this step backwards in my life.

As for the "emergencies" that may or may not come in... I'm going to trust that my phone will be on and ready when those phone calls happen. But, if it's not... this is just the way it's meant to be.

Tonight, I'm going out to a happy hour with a group of friends. For the day, I'm keeping my phone on. Once everyone's there... my phone will go on silent and it will find it's rightful place in my purse. If you're there with me, you deserve my full attention... it's no more complicated than that. Really... it's not.