Better With Email

I wish I was better with email.

Sometimes I’ll leave a message aside, hoping for time to answer it later. Then, nothing. I forget and it slowly slips to the bottom of the screen and then off entirely.

I really hope I haven’t done that to you.

All my mail from all my accounts end up in Gmail. That even includes my work account.

Originally, I didn’t think I’d like using on-line access, as opposed to a standalone email client. I’ve actually gotten used to it, which isn’t the same as saying it’s the perfect answer.

One thing I do appreciate is, email follows me anytime I open a web browser. No matter where I am, or what computer I’m on (and I use a bunch of different machines every day) I can get at all my mail – sent and received. And, when I reply, it’s with the same return address that received it, all from one page.

I also like Gmail’s the ability to filter mail as it comes in (or goes out), so it’s easily found. I’m sure other clients do this too. It seems an obvious feature to have.

Emails from certain addresses or with certain subjects come right into my inbox, but also live together in easily clickable categories.

In some ways, the strength of having email on my cellphone has become a weakness as well. If I read an email on my phone, it seems less urgent to answer when I get to a ‘real’ computer. At the same time, answering email on the phone is incredibly tedious.

Email has become a vital part of my day. I’m not sure I ever want to live without it again.