It's the family WhatsApp group that's triggered this specific post, but I guess my feelings are about smart phones and always being contactable as a wider subject.
Does anyone else feel constantly bombarded? I keep my phone on silent most of the time, but have to access WhatsApp regularly throughout the day as part of my job. In the space of 40 minutes this afternoon, there's been over a hundred messages on the family chat. It's largely nonsense. There are members of the family that are very active on social media in general, like post a pic of their morning coffee every day, a selfie at the gym, the view view from the window on their commute, any new purchase, even if it's just a sandwich from pret. I'm not like that, but it is fine, i appreciate that people use SM in different ways, and I can hide their posts. But they post this same stuff on WhatsApp. One husband and wife duo comment to each other in the group chat. Like, the husband will post a photo of his lounge and say "finally put those shelves up!" And the wife will reply "well done babe, looks fantastic!!". It's her house. She's sat in her lounge and can see the shelves and praise him in person. Why the need for the public performance?
I feel intruded upon. If I mute the chat, I still see I've got unread messages when i go in to WhatsApp. I got back from holiday this morning and I've already been asked to WhatsApp my holiday pics. I've not unpacked yet, I'm completely exhausted, and then I've been called a spoilsport and a wimp for saying "maybe tomorrow when I hopefully have more time and energy".
On the surface, this is a nice way of dispersed family staying in touch. And I am genuinely interested in the big news and achievements, I just find the constant stream a bit much.
What is the answer? I guess the obvious one is: leave the group. But that is a quite a bold statement that would undoubtedly offend people. I can't very well say "sorry, you lot talk too much drivel so I'm opting out". I already take part minimally in the chat but will comment on things of note (niece passing driving test, nephew's GCSE results, wishing someone good luck at a new job etc) and try to ignore the daily stream of consciousness stuff. I do care about these people and want to know their (genuine) news, but this is too much.
Is this just modern life now? Every club my kids are in each have group chats, as do their school classes, and a hobby I do. All seem to have lots of unnecessary "banter." I enjoy the group chats I have with friends - probably because we are all quite similar and don't bombard each other.
I'm honestly so over having a smartphone and having this expectation put on me that I need to be in constant contact with everyone. Aibu?