Audio Messages are Saving my Friendships
...and they can save yours, too
I received my first audio message from a friend in the summer of 2022 when she was going to be traveling for work. She pitched these little messages as a way to stay in touch while she was away without the time-change issues.
I HATED them. I didn’t like that they disappeared as soon as I listened to them. I didn’t like that you had to hold your phone a certain way to listen to them. And I especially hated that every time I sent a voice memo, I botched the hang-up part and my friend would hear 10-20 seconds of dead air followed by my shame spiral.
Needless to say, we didn’t keep up with these messages, but thankfully our friendship survived regardless.
Flash forward to a few months ago when another good friend of mine (also a writer, also a parent) sent me a voice memo with the explanation that sometimes it’s just easier to talk things out than type them when he’s chasing his kids around all day. Hmm, imagine that… my friend and I can have a meaningful conversation on our own time while we’re able to do the million other things we’re able to do… this could be a game-changer.
After that re-framing, audio messages became my preferred method of communication with my close friends. It’s more personal than a text (and much easier to convey tone, which can sometimes be last in translation), but there’s no pressure to respond right away like say— a phone call.
I feel excited when I see a little audio notification and can hear my friend’s voice catching me up on their day. I panic when I see someone calling out of the blue.
I’ve also figured out that if you click on the audio message, you can read a transcript. Sorry friends, sometimes when I’m super busy I skim the transcript. The added bonus of doing this is it allows you to save the audio message forever.
One friend left me an audio message pep talk when I decided to run for a board seat. I kept that message and when I’m feeling low, I play it for an instant boost. I don’t have to bother my busy friend every time I’m having a low moment, but now I can hear her voice and encouraging words.
Another friend refers to our audio message exchanges as our personal podcast, and that’s exactly what it feels like. In today’s world, especially as a busy creative who doesn’t understand the concept of “free time,” audio messages allow a personal alternative for closeness.
In a world that’s increasingly relying on technology as a way to drive apart humanity, this is a rare situation in which technology realigns us with that sense of closeness.
Listen, this isn’t for everyone, like I said, I despised receiving them until I saw the value they added to my life. Plus, not everyone wants to listen to me monologue about my life for three minutes and send their own personal monologue back. But for those who are looking for a new way to stay in touch with their friends, take it from this very busy lady… audio messages have been a friendship lifesaver.
Other bits from the week:
Congrats to the Disneyland workers for reaching a fair contract and avoiding a Disneyland strike!
Looks like the Teamsters and all other Hollywood crafts have reached a tentative agreement! Hopefully that means Hollywood will be up and running again soooooooonnnnnn
My day job laid off a significant portion of its US workforce, including several of my amazing and talented friends. Tough week for a lot of us, but it’s also been nice to see the support and ways people have each other’s backs.
Exciting campaign stuff is on the horizon!
Finally met my new manager in person!
I highly recommend checking out events at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. I went to a polo tournament Friday for a friend’s birthday and it was a delightful and relatively cheap evening!
Lots of fun news coming out of San Diego! It’s especially exciting to see friends announce projects or share projects that they’ve been working on.
Hope everyone is having a good week and enjoying these dog days of summer.