I genuinely care about my friends and family, but I forget to stay in touch and it makes me feel awful.
I’ll go weeks or months without reaching out, not because I don’t care, but because once someone is out of sight they’re out of mind. Then I remember randomly, feel guilty, and put it off again.
I’ve tried reminders, calendars, notes but nothing really sticks long-term. It’s especially frustrating because I do want to maintain these relationships, it’s like my brain just doesn’t cooperate.
Recently I’ve found a mobile app that helps (after rummaging through the useless, overwhelming ones) but I’m curious does anyone else struggle with this? Have you found anything that actually helps, or is this just one of those autism things you learn to live with?
Edit: since a few people have reached out the app I use is called Kinly Connect
I sent a picture of my dog to a friend yesterday, he texted me today apologizing for not texting back sooner. I told him it was okay, and reminded him of the time I didn’t text for 8 months because I forgot to install the app on my new phone.
We both just know if the other one doesn’t say anything, it’s not because we don’t care. We’ve gone months before saying nothing, then when we do reconnect, it’s like no time passed at all.
Granted, not everyone is like that. But making friends with the people who are helps me out a lot. And my family understands, they know I don’t always text back quickly.
I don’t know if this helps you? But I hope you’re able to find a way to feel less guilty about struggling to stay in touch, in whatever way that looks like for you.