Lin keeps saying that after they call me at the start of a text conversation and it’s the best. Like a grandparent. And I am on board for it.
As a millennial and introvert and long-time self-proclaimed hater of phone calls, I keep doing the same thing. I’ve never liked texting conversations – beyond the short necessity of arranging a time to actually see other/talk – but calls out of the blue were reserved for emergencies.
When I was depressed, I would ignore calls from family and friends because I needed to gather the energy to even have a conversation. My mom graciously took this feedback and always texts before calling, but I guess it’s time I let her off the hook: I am good with a phone call. If I can, I’ll pick up. And a lot of times now I’ll call before I text.
A quick phone conversation is just more efficient. Which I know anyone over the age of 35 is rolling their eyes at me for even calling that out, but I got here okay? I have become an adult who’s okay with phone calls and hates typing out long blocks of texts.
And now I get to hear my friends voices way more. Like when I messaged Lin and Cara about what I should get for dinner while managing my writing anxiety and they called and talked to me for two minutes instead and it was. just. fucking. nice. Texting the same beautiful friendship validation would have been wonderful, but not the same.
So I’m going to keep making calls like a grandparent. And shout out to my other friends that it is okay to do the same. I miss everyone’s voice.
With Love,
Natalie