Please boost, I want to debate:

I’ve been reflecting on my relationship with constant availability.
Many of my friends tell me that having a smartphone means being reachable 24/7, that this is simply what caring looks like today.

For me, it’s different. Messaging costs real mental and emotional energy.
When I reply once a day, it’s not disengagement: it’s me trying to stay present in a way that feels honest and sustainable.

This question resurfaced recently on a dating app. A woman told me she couldn’t invest in someone who only replies once a day.
That moment made me realize how often responsiveness is taken as a proxy for interest, availability, or emotional maturity.

I’m not sure constant replying equals real presence.
Sometimes, slowing down feels like the only way I can stay genuine with others and with myself.

I’m curious how others experience this:
Do response-time expectations shape how you connect? Where does care end and obligation begin?