Monday, September 15, 2008

Can I get an amen?

I'm behind y'all.  Painfully, painfully behind.  My inbox is exploding at over 100 messages.  Granted, some of them are for our upcoming move.  Some of them are addresses or reminders that I need to record somewhere else.  BUT, some of them are "real mail."  They are heartfelt emails from you.  I read them and a million thoughts and responses flood my brain...but I don't start typing, and the next day I get a whole bunch of NEW messages, and the important ones from the day before just keep getting buried...deeper....and deeper into the recesses of my inbox.  Some of them are so old that it is almost embarrassing to respond to them now.  There are evenings when I am determined to decrease the surplus.  I delete junk that somehow was overlooked and answer quick questions to decrease that magic number......but that means I don't take the time to write the ones that count.  Even if I wrote one a day, shoot, even three a week, it would make a drastic difference.  

I have a friend who ALWAYS responds to an email the day she gets it.  I tried this.  It didn't work.  Actually, since I know this is something she does, I decided to play the game with her once.  I sent her an email.  She responded.  I sent one right back.  She sent me one with lots of questions about my life (dirty little trick).  I responded but eventually had to give up.  She HAD to have the last word.  It was hilarious!  If you are one of the many who is waiting for a reply, know that it isn't personal.  I love getting your emails and reading your news and thoughts.  Anyone else struggle with this?  Any bright ideas?

12 comments:

Short Stop said...

I know exactly how you feel! My inbox is completely out of control, and I have major email guilt. And, it's paralyzing. You're so right.

I wish I had help, but I'm in your same boat. I'll try to remember to come back to check the comments, 'cause maybe someone has some words of wisdom to share. HOWEVER, I have learned to click the "mark all as read" button in goog.le reader. That is SO therapeutic when I feel like I'm swimming in "unread" stuff.

BTW, your friends know that you're busy, and in a particularly busy season of life with moving. Just remember that! :)

krista said...

(Def.) GRACE -- unmerited favor

Love ya--hang in there! :o)

Momma Roar said...

Yep, life gets crazy - and we have all been there and totally understand!

So glad you took a moment away to eat lunch with me - it gives me warm fuzzies knowing you had much to do! :)

Growin' With It said...

cut yourself some slack girl! you're moving by golly!!! hang in there.

Just Mom said...

You're asking someone who had 200-plus blog site feeds to read this morning. Yeah, I've been preoccupied with other things.

Kristen said...

I know how you feel... I do good for a bit and then get behind. I usually keep items in my inbox until I have responded to them so I don't forget but it can get overwhelming sometimes.

Right now, life is crazy busy and you have plenty of other things that need your attention. Praying for you...

Jenni S. said...

Amen and amen. I feel like I'm behind on so many things right now! So I am there with you too!

Anonymous said...

Me too! Me too!

I barely have been able to write regularly on my Blog----let alone time to read and visit with my friends on their blogs.....

Not to mention Facebook or e-mail. Yikes!

Hey, was your husband an ER doc at Korea?

Janelle said...

My technique...avoidance, shut down and an incredible helping of guilt. Not saying it's the healthy option.

Anonymous said...

i think the only way to fix it is to loose some of your friends. :&. does that sound like a good idea?
hey i hope moving goes well for you all. we're moving too this weekend and well, i can't wait for it to be over. moving at 6 months prego is a different monster. :P

Alana said...

Amen, Amen, and Amen! I struggle with this,too. It gets to the overwhelming stage and I just shut down. I do the same thing when my bloglines get out of control. I've come to the realization that I will not "catch up" anytime soon.

Mary@notbefore7 said...

I think it is a pressure we put on ourselves and have to find the right balance to let some of it go. Our priorities have to stay in line and it is OK to say the inbox isn't one right now.

Are there a few you could tackle with a quick call if it is a dear friend you want to write? Maybe a hello will help remove a few.

If you were like me and felt the need to reply to all comments...stop. There is no need. Many people don't and things have been easier since I gave myself that allowance. *&unless you are building readership, then reply...but I am thinking you don't have timefor that right now.

Recognize your season. VERY often right now I tell myself..."this is not my year for ______". So many of my friends can do things from outings to keeping up with email, to trips...etc because they don't have a third child to bring along. I continually tell myself that it isn't my season for whatever I can't seem to "fit on my plate".

Give it to God and rest in the peace that he is planning your footsteps and taking care of your relationships. Friends understand!