Constant availability — replying to messages instantly, picking up calls always, saying yes to last-minute requests — is exhausting and trains others to expect it. Becoming less available resets relationships in ways most people don't expect. Most important relationships survive; many improve.
What 'less available' looks like
Replies to non-urgent messages within 24-48 hours, not immediately. Phone calls when convenient, not on demand. Friday night plans not always available. Email checked twice daily, not constantly.
Who actually minds
Mostly people whose requests didn't need immediate response anyway. Genuine emergencies always find a way through. Friends and family adjust within weeks to your new pace. Work culture adjusts too once the pattern is consistent.
The cost of being constantly available is paid by your own mental health and your own focused work. The cost of being less available is mostly imagined. Try it for a month and observe what actually changes.