tealin: (Default)
[personal profile] tealin
How many emails have I started with "Sorry this is so late; things are calming down soon so I hope to be better at replying ..."

Years and years. Things never calm down. I keep on top of the urgent/professional ones but usually that's about all I can do.

So here's an announcement (as though anyone who needs it is reading this blog – you probably all know). I am bad at replying promptly. If I haven't managed to improve in 20 years of having email, it's probably not going to happen. The more emotionally loaded the content the longer it's going to take, which is the opposite of how it should go, but I've learned the hard way often enough that dashing off a reply without due consideration is going to lead to more problems than taking the time to do it properly. Chances are, I will fail in several key ways even then, but it won't be as spectacular a failure as the less-considered one would have been.

I love corresponding with people – am arguably better at it than interacting in person – but I do so at my own pace. If that's going to be a problem for you, then lower your expectations.

People will insist on thinking very highly of me, and invariably come away disappointed when reality doesn't live up to what they've filled in for themselves. I do wish I could stop them doing that.

Date: 2017-11-19 04:45 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
Girl, take your time and don't beat yourself up! Heaven knows I can relate - I think my last email to you took 3 hours and an Adderall.

And yeah I think you're the bee's knees - instead of letting that fact pressure you to write faster, let it reassure you that I will be delighted no matter when an email comes and how short/long it is.
ilu <3

-k

Date: 2017-11-20 12:56 am (UTC)
frith: Violet unicorn cartoon pony with a blue mane (FIM Twilight friendly)
From: [personal profile] frith
No worries! Most times a comment is nigh rhetorical and needs no reply. Like this one! 8^D It's like a friendly wave.

Date: 2017-11-20 05:08 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
I've been dashing off replies without due consideration to the consequences for a while now; it has a lot to recommend it (SO LIBERATING!) Also, if it's not work/business related and the other person can't accommodate a response time that's comfortable for you, that's their problem. This is an interaction based on mutual benefit, after all.

P.S. The fact people think highly of you reflects well on you! While some may come away disappointed (reflects poorly on their judgement, not you), others will not! Hurray~
P.P.S. "buttery males"

Date: 2017-11-21 05:19 am (UTC)
From: [personal profile] kintsugiwords
...Would it be practicable to ask your friends to start emails with something like "RNR" (for "response not required") if they don't particularly need an answer?

(With the knowledge that you could, of course, answer if you like)

December 2023

S M T W T F S
     12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31      

Page Summary

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags

Most Popular Tags