Take a minute to breathe and don’t hit send!
I don’t know about you, but I’ve just had way too many regrets over the years, by not taking a breath before hitting ‘send’ on an email, a text or even a social media post. Holding myself accountable here, I’ve just got to use more self-discipline and take the time to review, breathe, and perhaps meditate with my eyes closed or at the very least re-read and reconsider.
Maybe it would be good to get up, walk around the office, the block or do something like clean out a cupboard or drawer, just to take a break and then return to calmly, now de-stressed, ask me if I am really sure what I am about to send, order off Amazon, subscribe to or post is really practical, smart or needed?
I mean really, I’ve been meaning to go back to lowering my carbs intake again, if I’m really that hungry food delivery apps have salad options too, right? So why did I just order a pizza?
Those boots are so cute online, but can’t I just make do with the ones I had last year? Although, in fairness, these have that nice hidden inset that makes me look a little taller. I work hard. Don’t I deserve a nice fresh pair of boots this year?
My finger is literally hovering over the mouse as I read the comment I’ve just written in reply to a really inappropriate and condescending remark from a person who has no idea how devastating what he is saying online may be to one of the kindest individuals I know. Should I hit send? Will my point of view make a difference or make things worse, I ask myself.
As I’m thinking about this ‘don’t hit send’ theme I realize it’s not just since we’ve become so consumed with the Internet, immediate self-gratifying shopping at our fingertips, home delivery, or texting instead of talking face to face that has prompted us at one time or another to wish we hadn’t said or done something spontaneously.
My Grandma Lillie used to say, “I always think of the right thing to say when I have nothing left to lose.” Or, “I always think of the right thing to say when the time to say it has passed.” Or the old favourite, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”
I guess it boils down to self-control, better judgement, taking the time to think things through and consider the consequences of our actions and at times possibly just taking a moment to breathe before the words fall out of my mouth before I hit ‘send’ or impulsively order something I probably don’t need, just want.
I’m really going to do better. In fact, I’m going to really work on this and be much more discerning and think things through. Take a long breath of fresh air and…
Oh geez, I’d better finish this later because those boots I mentioned are showing a flashing red icon saying there are only two pairs left in black in my size! Oh gosh, now there is only one pair!
I’ll be right back I just have to, well I mean, I really am determined to do better in the future. First thing tomorrow I’ll turn over a whole new leaf and make a laminated sign to put on the wall right in front of myself to remind me to ‘Don’t hit SEND’.
I’d better look up laminators since I don’t have one of those either.
