Tips for replying to messages

These phones and constant availability are not a good thing. You have to get out of the habit of answering everything. There is not enough time to be in touch with everyone all the time! You’ll go crazy! Think about the fact that you can control only a limited number on things effectively. Adhd has you going all different directions. Only you know what you can handle. Even this app is a distraction! But it does help…just don’t let it be your only focus!

With iMessage you can mark messages as "unread" when you don't have time to respond immediately. (Swipe right) Also drop several social media channels. Sometimes it’s too overwhelming to have IG, Facebook messenger, whatsapp, iMessage, etc. It’s doomed to forget to answer 😅 I dropped a few of them, informed my friends/family and it’s getting a lot better 🥰

Brain dumping helped me. I brain dump multiple times a day into my phone notes. Just doing that alone helped me remember. Also it removed so much from my brain. I added the “Getting Thing Done” method later, but even just having a spot I unload what is in my head was a game changer. It’s an easy way to look through what I need to do too.

I’m going to try this technique along with more closed sentences than open so I can hold the relaxation and hope I can finish at least one conversation. Thank you!! 🥰

I never noticed I did this until you mentioned it! If I’m in line at the bank or a store and start to feel anxious not moving, I distract myself and take that opportunity to respond to a few friends. It just sucks when you go to leave and you’ve now started something you’re completely over 🤣

I do this with business messages that don’t necessarily need a response back and it actually helps with that more for sure!!

Yes!! Sometimes I’ll be so embarrassed I can’t even get myself to reply again to apologize. It’s like every first message I send there’s an apology and an excuse, then just carry on with their last message like NOTHING happened 😅..

Yes! Then i go to text them something and see their "ignored" message and just apologize but don't end up saying what i wanted to say out of embarrassment

I have a tip but it’s kind of an arsehole thing 😭 I tend to respond at night when the person is asleep because I know they won’t respond immediately and start a whole live conversation that will create more and more messages to respond to 😅

Came here to offer community as I struggle with this constantly!! I also feel super guilty bc I *do* genuinely care for everyone but often don’t have the energy to formulate custom responses for each convo and don’t know when good stopping points are. I totally know what you mean about it never feeling like a good time and gosh I just need you to know you are SEEN and UNDERSTOOD. Maybe use this app to try and set a goal of replying to one message a day and you can at least get some points for it ;~; Best of luck!!!

I have the same problem especially around the feast days where you are supposed to send and answer a lot of greetings messages. I found it helpful to relaxe for a while before I reply then set a time and reply to all of them at once, so I don't feel like I still have work to do.

Voice messages also help, as a simple message sometimes is too complicated, as I have to structure my ideas

I totally get you! I do it when on public transport or when I have to wait for something (I force myself to reply to one person at least)