Ok.  Time for a status update on my text message moratorium…..  I officially made it one whole week without sending a single text.  Granted, I received quite a few but I chose other alternatives for response. The past week has taught me a lot, but most importantly – I believe that text messaging and facebooking have a certain purpose in life.  What they mean from this point forward in my life will be redefined based on the past week of my life.

First: my confession of how I broke.  So a friend of mine is in town for the weekend.  We agreed to meet at a bar in Olympia that I’m not familiar with.  I arrive and look through the restaurant and don’t see him.  I waited a few minutes outside of the restaurant and decided to call him.****  The phone rang twice and went to voicemail.  He totally rejected my call.  So I wait for a few minutes more, and gave in.  Text: ‘Where are you? I’m outside.’  Turns out the part of the restaurant that I thought was the bar – isn’t so!  The bar is through the alleyway in the back.  Who knew?  And thus began my downward spiral…… I’ve sent two additional text messages today since the fall from grace.

So like I said – text messaging has it’s purpose.  I’ve found that it is grossly overused in our society.  And I’ve really began to define for me what are appropriate situations in which to use text messaging, and which situations should utilize a more connected approach to communication.

My new rules for text messaging:

1. Text messaging is a great tool to tell someone that you’re running late for a meeting, or that you’re on your way, to set up a meeting/date/coffee, or to inquire where someone is that you’re in the process of meeting up with.
2. Text messaging is fabulous for sending a quick message to someone that you’re thinking of them.
3. Text messaging is not good for the development or maintenance of any type of relationship.  If you think about it – anyone can text message.  I can text message someone that I don’t particularly care for and have the same affect as if I were texting someone that is close to my heart.
4. Text messaging is a poor tool for an argument.  Comments are limited by the amount of characters, and can be very misunderstood.

So – what now?  I’m giving up on my final week.  I’m not typically what I would refer to as a ‘quitter’ but I think I’ve learned my lesson here and I’m ready to move forward. I’m grateful to have the ability to explore my beliefs and also that I have a fluid view of my belief system.  I hope that my experience with this test has inspired some of you to also assess your communication techniques and connectedness with others in your life.  Thank you to everyone who played along with me and chose to call instead of text me – just because my experiment is over, doesn’t mean that you have to stop calling!!!!

Also, I feel that this experiment has brought me closer to several people in my life, as well as my concept and designs for my Versus show.  So make sure NOT to miss the show!  It’s going to be kick.ass!  There are only 175 tickets available, so even though it’s two months away – you DON’T want to be caught without a ticket.  You can purchase tickets here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/123415

*** Side note – Living in Olympia is such a unique experience!  While waiting on the street last night I was able to observe a street kid walking a cat on a leash.  He had to stop in front of me as the cats neck handkerchief was crooked, and he had to adjust it.  I was also fortunate to see numerous males walking by me wearing shorts with socks pulled up half past their calves.    It’s really just such an interesting place, and really makes me smile at the crazy visions I am able to encounter.  Such inspiration….. or at least entertainment!

As most of you know, I’m in the process of preparing for a show in October named Versus.  This particular show benefits a Seattle non-profit – The Heroes (http://www.heroeseverywhere.com/The_Heroes/Home.html).  The concept for this show is for each designer to represent a dichotomy through fashion.  I asked for input from some friends and was provided several great ideas, however I was intuitively drawn to one provided by a dear friend – ‘Carrier Pigeon vs. Text Messaging’

Over the past few months, I’ve really taken this idea to heart.  I’ve found several studies done on the effects of text messaging on the structural composition of our hands (http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2002/mar/24/mobilephones.games), and have read some books on the subject as well.  Most recently I was recommended to read the book ‘Crazy Busy’ by Edward Hallowell, MD.  Initially, I had anticipated that it would speak to my habit of overbooking and overscheduling my life.  As I was reading today, I realized that it also spoke to a topic related to this upcoming show – connectedness.

Dr. Hallowell notes that ‘if we’re not careful, we’ll get so busy that we’ll miss taking the time to think and to feel.  We won’t have the extended periods of time required to complete a thought, develop a conversation, or reflect upon a complex set of emotions.’  I’ve found that through our increasing amount of instant messaging via computer or text has completely removed the need to connect with other humans on a real level.  We avoid picking up the phone to call one another, instead opting for a 160 character or less text message or an 853 character facebook message.  What happened to personal communication/interaction?

One of the most meaningful aspects of the Italian culture that I miss is the personal communication opportunities.  I can recall two to three coffee breaks per day, in addition to three (or more!!!) hour meals. Because of this, I was fortunate to spend significant amounts of time with the people in my community during that time.  So much so that I’d estimate spending more time with those people in one year, than with some I’ve known for the past four years.

Dr. Hallowell also notes that ‘being connected to what matters most is the enlightened way of life.’  What matters most to me is my connections with those that are close to my heart in personal and professional arenas.  This is why I’ve chosen to conduct my own social experiment – I will be giving up text messaging for at least two weeks.  *GASP*  I know, impossible.  Yet, it is my intention.  I want to remember what it’s like to feel a human connection. And hopefully to make deeper and more meaningful connections in order to make myself a better woman and human.

For those of you unwilling to pick up your phones – I will be checking my text messages twice per day (once in the morning, and once in the evenings).  So what can you expect from this?  Less than instantaneous responses to your messages.  AND responses via telephone.  What do I recommend?  If it’s important, call me.  I can guarantee you – I would love to hear your voice.

Ill take notes over my two weeks, and report to all the results of my experiment.  Who knows – this may be made a more permanent aspect of my beingness….