Its 2020 and Im doing almost all of my (not in person) communication via
voice on the phone.
A home / office phone (wired in).

The remainder of my communication is done through email. Still.
Because of these simple choices, Ive been accused of being hard to “reach”.
This…coming from people who are accessible through Text, “Instant messaging”,
FB, Twitter, Instagram, Linked in and lastly voice on a phone. Anywhere, anytime.
A different way to look at this is THEY are TOO EASILY “reached”.

I was “reachable” 24/7, 365.

In my past I (literally) has 2 different “phones” with me as well as a pager.
I worked in the wireless field (that was my excuse) so I “needed” all of these
electronics. On, always.
When I left the wireless field, (abruptly, in 2009) my addiction of importance followed. Until I questioned this “perceived importance”.

In late 2011, I also began to question the source of a nagging low to mid level anxiety that seemed related to my level of “contentedness”.
So, I tried an experiment. I put my Blackberry in my cupboard, on silent-
and ran out the door to work. That particular workday was filled with phantom vibrate syndrome escapades galore.
I felt unsure. Alone. Mixed in were small bursts of freedom.

Anywhere, anytime. instantly.

Eight years later, and Im getting harder to reach (Or so others think).
But….Ive changed nothing…
Its others that keep on embracing more ways to be reached.
Its society that cannot say no, or “this is good and fast enough”.
My experiment inadvertently added friction to “reaching me”.

No Boundaries? No Peace.

Ive found that friction serves to filter the shallow, only passes the valuable- the important and meaningful.

I value solitude, peace, clarity and calm.
My lifestyle r3volution with my mobile electronics has added friction to my instant availability . This has allowed me to live in line with my values.

A week in to this experiment I began to notice that the anxiety was lower.
Im onto something!

2012 and beyond

I really like my wall phone. It sounds good. Looks retro.
It calls and thats it. My customers and slightly annoyed friends cant”text” me.
(Because of previous “delete experiments”, I have found that Texting does not line up with my values. It “expects” too quick of a response time and is devoid of emotion & meaning).

Decisions are easy when your values are clear.

Just Be true to you.
Your REAL friends will understand (or at least accept YOU).