Lost In The World Of Instant Messages

Recently, I was out to lunch with my mom when I discovered myself having a texting conversation while my mom was trying to hold a face to face conversation with me and this is when I realized that multiple forms of "instant messaging" has impacted my life in both positives and negative ways. When I think about forms of instant media communication tools that have affected my life I am referring to instant messengers (Yahoo,AIM, MSN), e-mail, and text messaging. On the positive side I have found that these forms of communication have made me more outgoing and willing to express my feelings. I am not one to speak my mind and share my feelings and emotions out loud. I rather just hold it all in and be the quiet and shy girl in the corner, but with forms of messaging that allows me to share my thoughts and feelings instantly with out actually using my voice has made me more sociable in a way. Unfortunately I misuse this use of "not talking, but still communicating". Often times I find myself starting fights with my boyfriend over text, but when he wants to talk about it face to face or on the phone I refuse because I get scared. So, as much as this instant messaging savvy world has come to help me become a better communicator is has also turned me into a quiet and shy person, but a instant message monster. Although my habit of instant messaging has allowed me to stay connected with many of my friends and family in a quick and easy way, it has also cut me off from communication in the real world. As I mentioned before in the beginning I many times find myself wrapped up in the world of text messages and instant messages, but lost in the world of face to face communication. When I was out to lunch with my mom she was explaining to me something about my her recent trip to Chicago, but at the same time I was texting my friend Lauren and had no idea what my mom was saying to me. At this point in time is when I realized the affect text messaging and instant messaging has had on my life.