The Balance Between Physical and Digital Communication in My Life

When it comes to communication, I honestly don’t think there’s just one perfect way to do it. Over the years, I’ve tried different forms — texting, calling, video calls, face-to-face conversations — and I’ve realized that what works best for me really depends on who I’m talking to and how important they are to me.

Most times, I find myself communicating through my phone. Whether through texting or calling. You know texting is just easier — I can reply whenever I want, I can think about what I want to say, and I don’t feel pressured to keep the conversation going when I’m not in the mood. Calls are okay too, but to be honest, I don’t even like picking calls unless it’s really necessary. There are some days I just ignore my phone ringing because I’m not mentally ready for all that talking. Texting feels safer, less stressful, and I can multitask while replying.

But then, there are times when I crave physical communication, especially with the people who mean the most to me. For example, when it comes to my relationship, nothing beats being physically present with my partner. There’s a different level of understanding that comes when you’re with someone in person. You see their facial expressions, their little habits, and you just connect better. For me, being able to sit together, go out, laugh, and hold hands is something no amount of texting or video calling can replace. That’s actually why I’m not a big fan of long-distance relationships — it’s too easy for people to say one thing and do another when we are just talking through the screen all the time.

Family is another area where I really value face-to-face conversations. I do call and text my family regularly, especially when I’m away for school, but nothing beats just being at home with them. Sometimes, there are things I want to express that just don’t come out well over the phone. They need to see my face, my body language, the frustration or excitement in my eyes. That’s why the moment my exams are over, I don’t waste time — I pack my bags and head straight home. It’s not just about talking; it’s about being present and making memories with them.

On the flip side, with friends, I’m way more comfortable keeping things on screen. I text my friends a lot, but I rarely pick their calls unless it’s something really important. I don’t even feel bad about it. It’s not that I don’t care about them — I just feel like texting fits the vibe better. In fact, one of my friends invited me to his place some months ago and we stay in the same city. Infact, his house wasn't that far but then i cooked up some silly excuse about not knowing how to get there which I know wasn't good but then he wasn't that important to me and i just wanted to avoid the stress of physical meetups.

At the end of the day, both forms of communication work for me. It just depends on who you are to me and how much I value our relationship. If you really matter to me — like family or someone I’m emotionally connected to — I’ll definitely make the time to see you no matter how tight my schedule is. But if we’re just casual friends, I’m totally fine keeping things digital.

Thanks for reading.

image is Ai generated.