Replying to every message instantly has ruined how people communicate

I used to respond to messages within minutes. Always available, always online. Then I realized: I was training people to expect instant access to me at all times. And I was getting anxious whenever I saw an unread message. Now I check messages when I choose to. I reply in a few hours, sometimes the next day. People called it rude at first. Then they adjusted. Now my conversations are actually more thoughtful. Instant communication is a feature, not an obligation. You're allowed to be unavailable.