How to build digital connections
As more of us than ever are working remotely, it’s natural to miss those social moments with colleagues by the water cooler, bouncing ideas off each other, venting after a long day, or catching up on weekend antics. But technology is here to help...
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he sound of my ringtone gives me anxiety. Who dares to call ‘just to talk’? What’s wrong with a text? Or a handwritten letter? Anything – and I mean anything – but a phone call, I beg you! I know I’m not the only one who avoids talking on the phone. Ofcom revealed that a quarter of people make less than five mobile calls a month, with 6% of people not making any at all. And those who do pick up the phone? Well, two-thirds of them hang up in less than 90 seconds. Those are my kind of people. Video calls are less stressful, but like the rest of the socially distanced world, I’m a bit overwhelmed with virtual chats these days. They eat into my working day, and feel emotionally exhausting. I’ve got Zoom fatigue, and I think it’s getting worse. Luckily, I’ve found an alternative. One that keeps me in contact with the outside world, but doesn’t
Writing | Fiona Thomas
drain my time and energy. May I introduce, the humble voice note. WHAT ARE VOICE NOTES? Voice notes are recorded messages that can be sent between phone contacts. Instead of typing out a text message, you use the phone microphone to record yourself talking, and send it to the person you’re texting. It’s a function available on most messaging services such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. So what are the benefits? EMOTIONAL SUPPORT I got hooked on voice notes when I started working from home a few years ago. I was running my own business for the first time, and I missed the emotional support of a traditional work environment. Being my own boss was great until I had to make decisions, because I had no one to bounce ideas off. Soon, I built up a network of virtual colleagues who were happy
to receive my vocal rants, milliondollar ideas, and general chit-chat, on a daily basis. Most of them sent me voice notes back, and for a lonely freelancer like me, the ongoing digital ping-pong match has been a lifesaver. SELF-EXPRESSION While the convenience factor of voice notes is debatable – they’re quicker than texting, but not always appropriate for the listener if they’re in public without headphones – they offer so much more nuance than a text message or email. There’s no need for emojis when you can vocally express sarcasm, humour, and empathy. In general, a conversation is considered much more effective (when compared to texting) at conveying genuine love and gratitude. One study found that college students who spent a significant amount of time texting were less satisfied with their relationship than other couples.
