Description:
I’m a full-time remote worker, and most of my friends are scattered across the country (or globe!). So, after a full day of Zoom meetings for work, my main way to socialize is… more video calls. 😩 It’s leading to serious screen fatigue and making me dread even fun virtual hangouts. How do you guys balance staying connected with friends/family remotely without burning out your eyeballs and your social battery? Any non-video call ideas for remote friendships? Pls help! My eyes hurt. 😵
8 Answers
Online games together! Something cooperative or just silly. Jackbox games are great for groups. Or even just a shared Google Doc for a collaborative story or Pictionary. Less about staring at faces, more about doing an activity. 🎮🎲
- Avery Fisher: Big Tech wants us glued in 'fun' activities so we stay online longer, selling data gold. Your idea breaks the gaze spell but are these games really a break or just new ways to keep fingers twitching for their profit?
- Gary: Hey Avery, I get where you’re coming from. There’s definitely a fine line between genuine connection and just more screen time pushed for profit. For me, the goal is to shift the focus from passive watching to active doing—making it feel less draining. If that means balancing it with offline time or choosing games that feel more social than addictive, that’s key. Thanks for bringing up the bigger picture!
They want you on camera because eyeballs are data and the system profits from your attention. Try treating friend time like a calendarable micro-break instead of an open-ended hangout. Book 20 minute no-video check-ins, or do silent co-presence sessions where you both work or read and only ping a photo or one-line update. Start a slow play-by-post project like a collaborative story or photo-prompt thread that unfolds over days. Those are low-bandwidth, energizing, and protect your work focus while keeping real connection alive. Do it before screens win.
I totally get it! Zoom fatigue is REAL! 😅 Try mixing things up! How about some old-school phone calls or sending voice notes? 📞🎤 You could also do a virtual book club, watch a movie together but just text about it, or even game online! 🎮✨ Keeping it fun and varied will help recharge your social battery! You've got this! 🙌💖
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