Practice Social Distancing with an Old Fashioned Phone Call

Whatever happened to a simple phone call? Not a text, face time or message through social media, but literally picking up the phone and dialing a number where you hear someone’s voice on the other end. At this time of social distancing, I see a lot of creative social media challenges and posts. I have done some and participated in others.

I remember my father would block out time every Sunday to call a friend or relative. I don’t know if he had any particular strategy, but it lifted his spirits and I’m sure the spirits of the people he called. We would often leave the room or house entirely to get away from the loud voice and constant laughter that disturbed our space. But in retrospect, I now realize how important that was to him, to call and receive calls. Someone was taking an effort to check on him and see how he was doing. It went beyond a passing moment of fingertip communication. A voice that was able to share vocal emotion was attached.

So the other day I tried it. I called someone I haven’t heard from in some time. That person was not on social media and their only means of communication was by phone. When I made the call it was clear that the person on the other ends spirit was lifted. I could tell from their voice. I learned so much about their fears and what they were going through during this difficult time. Much more than I would ever know had I sent a email or text message. I realized that it doesn’t take much for me to pick up the phone and talk to someone socially. So I called a couple more people. Family and a few friends were all available to talk and I may have spent an average of 5 minutes per call, but it was 5 minutes well spent.

What a novel concept!

During this time of social distancing consider old school communication. Pick up the phone and call someone. You will be amazed at the response; yours and theirs.