I know that logically there is no need to respond to every comment, but I set "respond once" as a basic minimum for myself many years ago, on the theory that social interaction is a necessity of life and I should by gum make an effort... and by this point it has become a slightly compulsive habit. Whoops!

I do think it is generally good for me to stay in the habit of responding to people, because if I don't explicitly make that a goal, it is FAR too easy for me to drift out of communication in any form with anyone. My natural inclination is toward hermitism. Unfortunately, being a hermit makes me miserable. *headdesk* So I keep trying to respond, and just cut myself a LOT of slack on my speed-of-response when I'm in a bad place or when the comment in question is complicated and requires significant thought/emotional investment.

It would be more efficient to concentrate on college first, but I am wary of trying to do college full-time without an accompanying paid job of some sort -- and for psychological reasons rather than financial ones. I find that without a job, I tend to get untethered from the everyday necessities and rhythms of life, so I want at least a part-time job to ground me.