‘I hate hearing my voice,’ texted one friend when I asked if we could send voice notes instead of texts. This reaction highlights a common discomfort, yet for many, especially new parents, voice notes have become an essential tool for maintaining connections in a busy world.
The Shift from Phone Calls to Audio Messages
As a millennial, I don't fear talking on the phone like younger generations often do, but there has been a noticeable cultural shift away from making calls. I realised this a decade ago when friends would answer with a concerned "what's wrong?", indicating that a phone call had become an intrusion reserved for emergencies rather than casual chats.
Navigating Parenthood with Voice Notes
In the hazy days of early parenting, voice messages from friends kept me afloat as I transitioned into motherhood. The logistics of friendship can get particularly tricky when you're a new parent, with everyone on different nap schedules, juggling childcare, swimming lessons, parties, and those rare moments of quiet. A phone call feels impossible amid this busyness, but a quick voice note? That I can manage.
My friend Bella, with her gentle dulcet tones, could soothe even the grumpiest of babies. Sometimes, I'd play her voice notes to my grizzling daughter to help her drift off. I'd send Bella panicked messages about TOG ratings, top-up feeds, and cabbage leaves, and she'd respond meticulously after putting her own kids to sleep. Hearing her calm voice provided comfort in a way that text messages simply couldn't match.
Building Friendships Through Audio
Sevil and I met at an early parenting centre in Melbourne as the city cautiously emerged from two years of frequent lockdowns. We exchanged a few words under our masks, navigating socially distanced tables, and after swapping numbers with our group of exhausted new mums, we kept in touch via voice notes. This mode of communication allowed our friendship to blossom, offering a sense of intimacy without the pressure of a live conversation.
Not all friends embrace voice notes, however. One texted her aversion to hearing her own voice, raising the question: did she dislike listening to mine as well? Yet, when I find another enthusiast, our connection deepens, as these audio snippets capture more than words alone.
The Unfiltered Reality Captured in Voice Notes
Voice notes are hard to curate; they capture the raw, unfiltered sounds of daily life. From the rhythmic whoosh of a breast pump—mistaken by my partner for an electro-dance track during a drive—to a child wailing in the background or the guttural sounds of cats about to pounce, every detail is preserved. An inquisitive little voice asking, "who are you talking to, mummy?", the flicker of a car indicator, or the soft whirr of blinds being pulled down for the night, all become part of the message.
These audio clips also convey emotions that text can't fully express: the catch in your voice when sharing bad news, the slow drag of exhaustion, the excitement of a new announcement, or the confidence in finding your rhythm as a parent. Voice notes capture it all, offering a lifeline in the chaotic journey of modern parenthood.
