What Happens When You Say “I Want to Hear From You”

In a world dominated by social media, where connections are often reduced to likes and emojis, the desire for genuine human interaction becomes more pronounced. Feeling a need to bridge the gap between digital acquaintances and real connections, I decided to take a bold step. A few months ago, I proclaimed, “I want to hear from you,” and posted my phone number publicly online, encouraging people to text me. Little did I know the surprising and intriguing journey that awaited me. In this blog post, I’ll share my experiences, the unexpected reactions (or maybe lack thereof), and the changing landscape of social media.

Why I want to hear from you

A few months ago, I put my invitation out to my virtual world. “Join my community: text me,” I wrote. I’ve always yearned for more meaningful conversations, away from the social media noise, and wanted to connect directly with like-minded people. As I laid my contact details bare for the world to see, I braced myself for an influx of messages from all over. Needless to say, I put some controls in place to prevent bots being able to spam my number, but surprisingly, the expected flood of irrelevant messages never arrived.

The response I received was not entirely what I anticipated. While some enthusiastic individuals eagerly texted me (thanks!), most remained silent. While I always appreciate the people that show up over those that don’t, it still puzzled me—why were people hesitant to embrace a more direct connection? Am I too much? Did my openness make them apprehensive? But amidst the sea of silence, I found real friends who texted. Because real friends text. It was encouraging to discover that authentic connections were indeed possible, even through a virtual landscape.

Breaking free from social media

The changing dynamics of social media are unmistakable. Platforms like Twitter underwent transformation, with Elon Musk’s every move leading to heated debates among followers. Twitter once used to be my favourite social media platform (as I’ve shared in almost every online course I’ve created). I even was a paid Twitter Blue subscriber, but when the app icon changed to a black “X” I decided I had enough from Elon’s antics and deleted the app. The social media discussion contains to evolve around privacy issues, and the lack of authenticity and genuine engagement.

In a virtual world where emojis often replace words, the phrase “real friends text” took on a deeper meaning. Sharing my number online became a way for me to express a desire for more meaningful connections beyond the fleeting interactions on social media platforms. As I love getting texts from real friends, I realized that direct communication still holds a unique and irreplaceable value on our lonely planet.

Un-strange a Stranger

My experiment started a few months ago by of proclaiming “I want to hear from you” and sharing my phone number publicly online. In true Living by Experience fashion, it taught me valuable lessons. While the response might not have been as overwhelming as I expected, the connections I made were genuine and heartfelt. The changing landscape of social media and the barrage of robotic spam calls highlights the need for authentic and secure communication channels with human beings. “Real friends text” became a guiding principle in my quest for meaningful connections in a digital world that often emphasizes quantity over quality.

So, if you’d like to be more than internet friends, I’m still here: 604-210-8668. Don’t hesitate to text (seriously, just say hello) – because you never know where your next authentic connection may be waiting for you.