November 21, 2003 22:43 | Confession

Relief from e-mail

For as long as I can remember, I've had my MUA (Mail User Agent... or email client) check my mail every two minutes. Yes, every two minutes. In hindsight, I realise that was insane.

So every two minutes I'd go look. Every two minutes, I'd delete Spam. Every two minutes I'd drop everything and read and often reply letters.

So about a week ago I set it to check every 30 minutes. What-a-difference. Holy moly. Life changing.

Similarily, I had decided a few months ago to not answer my home land-line telephone anymore. Cellphone calls only get answered if I recognise the caller, and I wish to speak to them.

I have half a mind to kill IM (Instant Messaging)... or at least cripple the alerts from the three IM clients I use constantly... But I won't. IM has become my prefered mode of communication, after F2F (face to face).

Oh sweet peace. ;)

Comments
Sat, Nov 22, 2003, @ 8:14
1- mike

Really interesting post. This is the first time I have heard of someone making an active decision not to answer their land-line. Usually people, like myself, simply start answering calls less and less. I am terrible at getting back to people who leave me phone messages, compared to a few hours to respond to emails. I feel bad about my telephone practices, so it is interesting to here you state your decision without the usual guilt. Kudos


Sun, Nov 23, 2003, @ 3:42
2- Pete Barr-watson

I spent about a month or so offline completely and it was the best, most refreshing thing I've done in a long time. I also never answer cell calls if there is no caller id and generally I *choose* when I want to be available for contact in most forms of communication these days. It *is* refreshing.


Mon, Nov 24, 2003, @ 11:04
3- Nika

Ditto on the cell phone ID. Don't recognize you? Leave a message because I'm not answering.

Land-line? I cut mine about 2 years ago and now live in peace.

Buh-bye Bell-bastards.

Feels good, no?