Mommy Life: Conquering my email

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March 8, 2011 12:58 PM

Conquering my email

I am down to 23 emails in my Inbox!!!

Here's the story on why this is a big deal. I use gmail, which I love. I get 100+ emails/day and I read everything as it comes in, trashing anything that doesn't require a response or action. Some is news that needs posting immediately. Some are links I need to research. Some are emails I need to respond to.

I only keep in my Inbox emails that need more attention from me - posting, research, or replies.

In 2009, I was on Glenn Beck twice (9/24 and 10/2), which generated an avalanche of email. However, I had no idea what a REAL avalanche looked like until January 2010 when Maddy was on American Idol, which prompted everyone who ever knew me plus a thousand others to write. (And yes, it is a little strange that we may be the only family where the mother has been on Glenn Beck and the daughter on American Idol - within three months of each other!)

I have been trying to dig my way out ever since. In the meantime, as I whittled down from nearly 500, life went on - another 100+ emails every day, blogging, writing, taking care of kids and laundry, illness and so on.

The last two months I have had some extra help and I have used this blessing to finally clear my Inbox. I hope everyone will rejoice with me that today I am down to 23!!!!

I am just about to publish the oldest email in my Inbox (11/11/09) from a loyal reader named Judy.

Don't get me wrong. I WANT you all to email me. You are the primary source of the news and views you see at MommyLife. Every morning I have some ideas for what I want to write (I also have a list of about 50 ideas), but I first start going through my email to see what you have found important. I research and augment where necessary.

The result is actually more like a magazine. And we are learning from each other. I so appreciate your input. I think this kind of commitment to communication is a love language of its own.

I hope you know how much you all mean to me. And thanks for your patience as I have finally found freedom from the burden of overdue email!

Love,