Author’s Note: This post was written pre-quarantine but feels so timely now as “social distancing” becomes a commonly used phrase. Praying that you all stay well & that you find creative ways to love and serve the people around you.
Loneliness in a world of constant connection is a real thing, y’all.
It’s hard to maintain (or even start!) friendships when you’re in the thick of the ‘little years’. And if you’ve spent any amount of time off of the friend market, it can be awkward to put yourself out there again. I’ve shared before how I don’t like to feel left out which compels me to extend the invitation. But what about friends that aren’t in our same season of life? Or the ones that live too far away for a coffee date?
At the end of 2019, after several weeks of missed, forgotten, or interrupted lunch time phone dates with my work-bestie turned long distance kindred spirit, I got this text message, “Have you heard of Marco Polo?” Although I didn’t want one more app to keep up with, she assured me it was worth it, and she was so right. I love it and I think any woman who’s ever been in a weird friendship season needs it.
So what is it? Marco Polo is a messaging app that allows you to send video messages to friends. You can watch the videos whenever is convenient and respond in kind.
I don’t want to overstate it, but this app has really been a gift. Not only have I reconnected with this work-bestie, I chat with a college friend who lives on the West Coast, a friend with a new job in a new state, and even a friend in another country. We’re able to share little glimpses of our lives with one another, the mundane things that are easy to forget when you are trying to catch up on 5 years in 30 minutes should your paths cross and allow for an in-person lunch or dinner date.
Marco Polo has also given me a way to connect with women that I would consider acquaintances and moved us farther into the friend zone than if we are attempting a conversation mid park-session, during Sunday School pick-up, or in the grocery store. While an in-person meet-up is always preferred, I feel more connected to people by hearing what is really going on in their lives beyond the 600×600 pixel squares of Instagram.
You can also create groups to keep up with a friend group – mine is called ‘Tired as a Mother’ – maybe you can relate?? Two friends and I use this as a place to encourage, update, ask for advice, and share funny stories.
While I do spend time on this app – I spend less time on others because I am able to catch up with the women that I really want to know in a deeper way and not spend superfluous time scrolling.
