I know texting is the norm. It’s quick, non-intrusive, and doesn’t require the awkward “how do I wrap this up?” exit. But I still call people. Not because I’m better at staying connected—honestly, I think it’s more about how I’m wired.

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☎️ I Have a Compulsive Need to Talk

I’m not even being dramatic. I’m cripplingly extroverted. I process things out loud. I feel more grounded when I can talk something through with someone I trust. And as a solo parent, I spend a lot of time alone once my daughter is in bed—and that can be hard.

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🔁 I Call People in Rotation

I have a rotation of friends and family I check in with regularly.

• Some are daytime people—available on a lunch break or during a walk.
• Others I call at night while doing dishes or folding laundry.

We talk about real life, the news, stories from our week. Some calls are ten minutes. Some stretch longer. The point isn’t the length. It’s the anchor.

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💬 Texting Still Matters, Too

Of course I text. I send check-ins, articles, memes, calendar updates. All of it helps keep the thread going between calls. But it’s the voice-to-voice contact that makes me feel genuinely connected. Like I’m not just managing relationships—I’m in them.

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🧠 Not Everyone’s Wired This Way

Some people don’t want to talk on the phone, ever. Some process things internally. Some recharge in solitude. I get that—and honestly, I admire it. But for me, I need sound, conversation, response. I need people who will talk back when my brain is spinning and I just need to say it out loud.

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🤝 Real Connection, On Purpose

So yes, I still call people. Regularly. Intentionally. Because that’s what keeps me tethered. If you’re someone who needs more than just text bubbles and the occasional emoji—you’re not alone.