Fewer Inputs

I take in less now
Than I used to

Not because it overwhelms me

But because it isn’t needed
I don’t keep everything open
Just to stay informed

And I don’t follow each signal
To its end

There are fewer tabs open

Fewer voices at once

And I don’t fill the space
With background noise
To keep it active
If something doesn’t arrive clearly

I don’t pursue it

And I don’t compensate
For what I didn’t receive

Fewer inputs
Still functions

I read enough to understand
What’s happening

And stop before it becomes
Another obligation
I don’t respond immediately

And I don’t keep checking
To see if something has changed
Since the last time I looked

There are conversations
I don’t continue

Not because they end badly

But because they don’t add anything
To what’s already here
Nothing improves by accumulation

And nothing clarifies
Once it exceeds architecture

Fewer inputs
Still functions

I leave it quiet