Many people choose to pursue a career as a truck driver because they crave the open road, dream of traveling around our beautiful country, and want to escape a typical 9-to-5 job. While these are all wonderful benefits of the job, they also necessitate something quite tough: frequently being away from friends and family. Don’t let the nature of your job chip away at your most cherished relationships. Scroll down for some tips on how to keep in touch with friends and family while on the road.
Tips for Connecting with Loved Ones from Afar
Schedule time for regular calls.
If an activity is on your calendar, you’re far more likely to (1) remember to do it and (2) actually do it. So, although it might seem silly to schedule time each week to chat with family or friends, this is the best way to ensure you don’t neglect your relationship. It also gives everyone a chance to look forward to catching up and ensures that you’re not caught off-guard. Whether you call or video chat — and whether you make it a daily, weekly, or monthly occurrence — scheduled calls can truly be a lifeline when you’re feeling lonely.
Explore different communication methods.
For a variety of reasons, people may prefer one method of communication over another. Maybe your busy sister prefers texting and voice messages because she’s able to reply whenever she’s free, and the tiny tidbits build into meaningful conversations over time. Maybe your kids prefer video chatting because they want to see your face, show you the painting they made, and give you a chance to say hi to your dog. Maybe your dad likes emails because you can share funny memes and links. Try a variety of methods if you’re wondering how to keep in touch with friends and family, and don’t be afraid to follow the lead of your loved ones.
Embrace video chats.
All that said, there’s something special about video chatting. When you can’t sit across the table from a friend or family member, video chatting is typically the best alternative. You may not be able to give your loved one a hug, but you can still see their face, read their expressions, and hear their voice. If you’ve never tried video chatting, now is the time to start. It’s more accessible than ever, and it’s totally free.
Do an activity together.
Sometimes, basic phone calls can feel repetitive or exhausting, especially if you’re not an especially talkative person. The focus is entirely on the conversation, after all. If you’re wondering how to keep in touch with friends and family, consider mixing it up by engaging in an activity while you talk.
For example, you could chat while watching a movie together, making jokes and asking questions as if you were side-by-side on the couch. You could read the same book (or, in your case, maybe listen to an audiobook) and then schedule book club meetings to discuss it. You could pack your Nintendo Switch and play video games together (or online games using your laptop!). You could simply eat dinner together while video chatting. Having something else to do instead of just talking can help remove the pressure from the conversation and make it feel as though you’re in the same room together.
Send snail mail.
There’s something magical about opening your mailbox and discovering a letter, a card, or a postcard from a friend. It’s an old-fashioned way to share love, and it’s quite cool to think about the journey that letter took to arrive at your house. Keeping all this in mind, why not surprise your loved ones with some handwritten mail? Your kids would probably love to receive a postcard from along your route, and your spouse would surely be thrilled to receive a handwritten love letter. Don’t worry — it doesn’t have to be pages long or include a heartfelt poem. Just write down a few thoughts, add a stamp, and send it out!
Keep a group chat.
When it comes to extended family, keeping in touch can be even harder. One of the best ways to ensure that you stay current with all your loved ones is to organize a group chat (typically via texting). Everyone can send pictures, news, and updates to the group when they have a free moment, so there’s no need to worry about coordinating schedules. You could send pictures of your travels!
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Learning how to keep in touch with friends and family as a new trucker can be tricky, but it’s well worth the effort. Be creative, be consistent, and don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. Finally, make sure that when you are at home, you savor the time you’re able to spend with your loved ones.
Hoping to become a truck driver? Contact BLC Transportation today. We have opportunities for both company drivers and lease-purchase drivers. With our lease-purchase program, you can make 90 percent of the line haul while driving new trucks that provide comfort, fuel efficiency, and reliability. Plus, we offer bonuses and incentives, a health insurance subsidy, a friendly passenger/pet policy, assistance with registering for an LLC, and more. Join our team today!