Iām literally for the first time this week , as we speak, responding to messages on messenger, very inspiring, thank you for lifting me up and helping me to know Iām going the right direction!!
Good advice! I often get slammed by friends/relatives who say I'm not responsive enough to emails & texts. You've given me another way to think about it.
If thereās anyone consistently giving out gifts through email, itās definitely you, Chris! Youāve come up in so many conversations where people mentioned how your thoughtful replies made them feel genuinely heard and cared for. Thank you for always walking your talk. Youāre such a huge inspiration! Hope youāre doing fantastic!
Your mindset shift when applied to emails, for me, would add so much emotional weight/responsibility that I would be paralyzed š¤Ŗ!! You've found that it works for you and that is wonderful ā¤ļø
All our interactions/communications are opportunities to show respect, kindness and our humanity. š Email is just one type of communication and I try and keep its Value/Importance in check mentally which helps keep me functional, lighthearted and out of overwhelm.
Your 'gift' idea is your way of 'lightening the mental load' š too. Guilt/shame and overwhelm are definitely not serving anyone.
This is exactly what I needed to read just now. One of my greatest sources of distress sounds stupid in my head: getting back to people. And there are now SO many ways to do so!
I miss the days growing up in the 80s having only one rotary phone in our kitchen that we all shared. No email. No internet. No cellphones.
This article was perfect and timely as I was beginning to see people as chores, as a giant "Whack-a-mole!" game at Chuck E Cheese (where I used to work as a teenager, dressed up as the giant mouse).
This is not how I want to live, this spirit of "have to" vs "I get to"; I want to remember that people are gifts. And he frequency or energy I give off frantically responding reactively doesn't feel good for neither myself or the other person.
Thanks for this reminder that these are real people (with real feelings) on the other end. Not just to-dos to check off on a list. I love the acting role idea too. Gonna save this to remember the next time I find myself avoiding getting back to others! Thank you for this gift of a post, Chris. And I am enjoying your Time Anxiety book (I purchased from BookPeople in Austin, TX, getting a chance to see you read and sign my book too.)
Iām literally for the first time this week , as we speak, responding to messages on messenger, very inspiring, thank you for lifting me up and helping me to know Iām going the right direction!!
Nice!
'To Shine Light' - that's nice!
Good advice! I often get slammed by friends/relatives who say I'm not responsive enough to emails & texts. You've given me another way to think about it.
Glad it was helpful. š
This is just a sweet idea!
ššš
If thereās anyone consistently giving out gifts through email, itās definitely you, Chris! Youāve come up in so many conversations where people mentioned how your thoughtful replies made them feel genuinely heard and cared for. Thank you for always walking your talk. Youāre such a huge inspiration! Hope youāre doing fantastic!
I appreciate you saying that but honestly it's a struggle! #workinprogress
Chris is Pretty Great! I Look forward to every email/post......
Loved this piece, Chris. Have you read today's Atlantic article by Arthur Brooks? It's a nice complement and you two are clearly on the same wavelength. That kind response you gift to someone else also ends up making you happier! Win/win. Here's a gift link (pun intended): https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/08/power-politeness-happiness/683710/?gift=1HF0jUdsiTbJ9UvZBr9o6mgRhR0PbNpGrWMjskbYhIs&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
Your mindset shift when applied to emails, for me, would add so much emotional weight/responsibility that I would be paralyzed š¤Ŗ!! You've found that it works for you and that is wonderful ā¤ļø
All our interactions/communications are opportunities to show respect, kindness and our humanity. š Email is just one type of communication and I try and keep its Value/Importance in check mentally which helps keep me functional, lighthearted and out of overwhelm.
Your 'gift' idea is your way of 'lightening the mental load' š too. Guilt/shame and overwhelm are definitely not serving anyone.
Love your work and vulnerability Chris
This is exactly what I needed to read just now. One of my greatest sources of distress sounds stupid in my head: getting back to people. And there are now SO many ways to do so!
I miss the days growing up in the 80s having only one rotary phone in our kitchen that we all shared. No email. No internet. No cellphones.
This article was perfect and timely as I was beginning to see people as chores, as a giant "Whack-a-mole!" game at Chuck E Cheese (where I used to work as a teenager, dressed up as the giant mouse).
This is not how I want to live, this spirit of "have to" vs "I get to"; I want to remember that people are gifts. And he frequency or energy I give off frantically responding reactively doesn't feel good for neither myself or the other person.
Thanks for this reminder that these are real people (with real feelings) on the other end. Not just to-dos to check off on a list. I love the acting role idea too. Gonna save this to remember the next time I find myself avoiding getting back to others! Thank you for this gift of a post, Chris. And I am enjoying your Time Anxiety book (I purchased from BookPeople in Austin, TX, getting a chance to see you read and sign my book too.)