The joy of voice notes

One of my personal goals this year is to nurture and expand my relationships. Over the years, my friendships have ebbed and flowed depending on where I was in life, the journey I was on, and what filled my cup at the time. Navigating and nurturing relationships through different stages of life isn’t always easy, and since becoming a mum, I’ve found it even harder to prioritise my friendships. I simply don’t have the same capacity as I used to.

I used to think that becoming a mum would mean seeing all my mum friends more often, but I quickly learned how wrong I was. Between the juggle of nap times, work, and the everyday chaos of running a household, our schedules never seemed to align. And when my best friend wasn’t in the same life stage as me, it created even more challenges. Although we both knew our dynamic would change, it still took some adjusting. I wanted to be the best friend she deserved, but I couldn’t show up in the same way I used to. From her perspective, it may have seemed like I wasn’t as present or available, and that shift naturally put a strain on our friendship. Thankfully, our relationship is built on honest conversations and truly listening to each other. By sitting down and sharing how we were both feeling, we were able to set realistic expectations and continue showing up for one another in a way that made us both feel supported.

As we move through life, we continue to navigate each stage accordingly, and now that we’re both mums, it’s a whole new challenge. Enter the joy of voice notes. Texting was our main source of contact, but we all know how easily meaning can get lost in written messages. Real thoughts and feelings often get left out, and assumed tone can lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.

Two weeks ago, my bestie suggested we start sending each other voice notes, and it has completely revitalised our friendship! We’ve never felt more connected, and despite the everyday chaos, it feels like we’re back to seeing each other daily. We’ve managed to get back to sharing our lives in detail again, just by incorporating this simple practice.

Looking back, I realise how many times we messaged each other with a quick “How’s your day?” only to receive a generic response that didn’t truly reflect how we were feeling. Since we started voice noting, our conversations have become more meaningful, and it feels like our friendship is right where it belongs, close, connected, and never-ending.

The Benefits of Voice Notes

• More personal than texting – Hearing someone’s voice adds warmth and emotion that gets lost in text messages.

• Easier to express thoughts and feelings – Instead of typing a quick response, you can share a more detailed and thoughtful message.

• Fits into busy schedules – You can send and listen to voice notes when it’s convenient, rather than needing to be available for a phone call.

• Strengthens connection – It feels like having a real conversation, which helps maintain closeness even when life gets busy.

• Reduces miscommunication – Tone and intent come through clearly, preventing misunderstandings.

If you’re struggling to keep up with friendships or feel like you don’t have enough time for deep conversations, give voice notes a try. They might just be the key to staying connected in a way that feels effortless and meaningful.