Toughening up + phones

[Wish Upon A Wish]

Okay, so I have a Tumblr account, and I basically can't stop going on there (I've only had it for what, two, two and a half months?) and it's annoying because I'm spending most of my time on there. I've done the same thing with other sites, another social networking site, Neopets, Spartzmedia and stuff, where as soon as I'd get home I'd hop on those sites.

Today, I caught up with the stuff on my Tumblr dash then posted a post, telling everyone I'm not allowed on there for over a week, and then after that I probably can't go on because I'll be in Takaka (about 6 hours drive away) and told them to message me and scold me if they see I've gone back on. I've done this because I have so much work to do, about two assignments, one I should've started a few weeks ago and another I should've started a few months ago (yes, I know, I'm screwed) plus work experience I need to do for study, plus generally get stuff done and get organised. In a couple of weeks, I'll let you all know how it goes.

I must say, it's nice to be able to cross something off my to-do list. I'm actually feeling kind of proud of myself.

Also, I remember a while back reading up in introversion and apparently many of us dislike the telephone, because there are no visual cues. (Many, not all). I don't know how badly most people dislike calling or being called, but I hate it, I really, really hate it. I avoided calling someone for work experience for two days before I finally forced myself to pick up the phone (there's been no answer so I called someone else) and I actually wrote down what I was going to say, and wrote down what I'd say if it went to voicemail so I wouldn't sound like an idiot.

I mean, it's not so bad when there's still things to talk about, after we've actually started talking, but calling and answering, I just hate it and I'm always quite scared to, plus saying goodbye in a non-professional call is usually kind of awkward for me too. I mean, if I don't have to stop talking, but I want to, I don't want to say I want to go but I don't want to lie and say I have to go. Plus if I'm not busy, at what point to I say that? And then when I've finished talking with a friend, there's usually awkward silences and ugh. Can you see at least partly why I hate the phone?

Anyway, does anyone think the "tell people to tell me off if I go on Tumblr when I shouldn't" is a good idea, and has anyone done anything similar? And does anyone else hate the phone as badly as I do?

[Zoe]

ah i couldn't have said it better my self. i am terrified, maybe not terrified but I just hate picking up the phone. I hate it I just don't know how to talk to people. I feel almost embarrassed. Once I picked the phone and I didn't know who it was so I just hung up. When I have to call people I have to plan out everything and run through it several times before I call. My mom once specifically told me to call my tutor not text and I lied and texted instead because I was too scared to call. I think my phone phobia is getting better lately. But also in general conversations with people I'm not comfortable with I don't know what to say. 

[taffle]

I have phone phobia too but I'm trying to get over it. I'm trying to learn how to make small talk. I look at my caller ID before I pick up. If the call is from an unknown number, I don't pick up because it could be from telemarketers. One time I picked up a call from a telemarketer and had to talk to her for a long while. I tried to come up with an excuse to hang up but every time she tells me to keep speaking to her. I finally hung up abruptly.

[greyartist]

I've always said I have a phone phobia. I have to build up to calling to set up a doctor's appointment or anything like that. I call my mom maybe a couple of times a year. My husband calls his mom everyday. I just can't do it. There is just nothing to say, long silences, I just hate it. I don't mind texting though. It's quick and you can ignore it if you want.

[Soul Dreamer]

I absolutely HATE talking on the phone! So it's an introvert thing, huh? That explains it. My family doesn't get it at all. When I'm talking to my best friend of seven years on the phone, it's so awkward that people around me would swear I'm speaking to one of her parents! I'm terrible at goodbyes. I have to make up some excuse otherwise conversations end up being hours long. I never call people, always just texting them instead.

Anyways, about the tumblr thing, I hope it works out for you. It sounds like a good idea. That's how I get myself to do things, I promise others that I will. Otherwise I'll just break any promise I make to myself.