In a world of texting answer the phone
Did you ever have a corded phone bolted to the wall? A home phone? A rotary phone? A party line? Did I just age myself? Born in the 80s and I became obsessed with the phone in the 90s. I could spend hours and hours talking to friends and family. There was a time before caller identification, when you answered the phone and you had no idea who was calling. I know what a scary world! I dunno what’s scarier not knowing who’s calling, or now knowing and not wanting to answer because you know who it is.
Growing up we had our home phone bolted to the wall in the kitchen. We had an extra-long phone cord so I could wander around the house talking away. I moved around our house pacing like I was running a small business, in charge of a pack of employees, or making a huge business deal. I wish we could have recorded some conversations to play back now. I would love to know what I was talking about for hours on hours, day after day.
We had dial up internet where you couldn’t be on the phone and dial onto the World Wide Web. Do you remember that horrible dial up internet connection sound? And the glorious sound of your brother yelling if you picked up the phone and he got kicked off the internet!
Before the world of cell phones I had a pager so if you needed me you could reach me. I have no idea why I felt the need to have a pager but I didn’t wanna miss a call. I lived for talking on the phone. I could always be reached day or night. I felt important.
The world now has become a world of digital living. Most people are glued to their cell phones. I am also guilty of this! This darn phone has it all. Oh how cell phones have changed over the years and not only in size. Do you remember the first cell phones? They were so big you needed a backpack just to carry one around. They didn’t fit in your pocket. They didn’t have cute cases or accessories. I remember trying to text and you had to punch the number over and over to get the letter. It was so much work that I would give up and just call. When cell phones came out with a sliding keyboard that was life changing and that’s when texting took off for me. I forgot what it was like to talk on the phone. I became all about texting and never talking. I would run when a phone rang. I was never so happy to do away with my home phone. Everyone knew if you wanted to talk to me, text me, I would reply instantly.
Having a cell phone now, well, pretty much everyone has a cellphone it’s rare to find anyone without one now. Gone are the days of payphones on every street corner. Cellphones with data is your go to convenience, banking at your fingertips, online shopping, watch Netflix on your phone, games, e-mail, you can work from your phone and there is literally an app for everything you could possibly want or need. It still seems too good to be true. I can see how it’s addictive to always be on your phone. I understand why mental illness is on the rise. With social media being available 24-7 we often get sucked into how amazing other people’s lives appear. We forget that what we see on social media and what real life looks like can be, and often is, two very different things. People only post the great moments. The picture perfect moments. The moments that make them look perfect to the outside world. Few people post real life struggles of the good, the bad and the ugly.
Everywhere you go now you see people on their phones but few people are talking on the phone. Most people are typing away. The world has become a world with our heads down lost in our phones. People don’t call, people text first and ask if it’s okay or, when could they call. Texting while convenient, quick and easy is still so very impersonal. Often messages are misunderstood and taken out of context. You interpret them how you read them. I have had this struggle. I still prefer to talk on the phone. To hear your voice, to listen to your stories, to hear about your day. To hear laughter and love.
When I decided to get into life coaching I was thrilled at the idea of always being available on my phone. I can read e-mails, text, edit my website and blog all right from my phone but nothing gets me more excited than to hear your voice, to discuss your goals and to make dreams into reality.
My phone is always on and I always do my best to answer every call. I cherish every conversation. I love to hear your voice. In a world of digital living don’t forget to call. Check in on those you love, make time for the important conversations. Let people know you are here for them. Let people know you love them.