My practice has always been ~25% virtual, but now that it's been 100% for a year, I'm seeing a shift: More and more people are opting for phone calls over video. I'm happy to work via either medium, but I'm encouraging clients to at least consider the phone, for a few reasons. 1/

The repetitive nature of video calls--all day staring at a screen, often from a single location--has become profoundly fatiguing. While video can be useful in certain circumstances, it's rarely essential, and the phone adds some necessary variety to our working lives. 2/

The phone frees us from our desk, office, or home. Many clients who opt for phone take our calls in another part of their home or outside. Some take walks around their neighborhood. We feel obligated to use video for some calls, so let's opt for freedom when we can. 3/

While video is sometimes additive, at other times it's a distraction. Allowing our field of vision to roam--and not worrying about how we appear to others--can free us up for more immediate, more intimate, and less stressful conversations. 4/

And as someone who lives on a farm and depends on rural infrastructure, I'm keenly aware that the phone's reliability, ease of use, and uptime can be a source of relief, particularly when using an old-school landline. Speaking of old-school... 5/

I'm reminded that in 1st grade I encountered one of these--a Model 554--at a neighbor's when I had to call home to see if I could stay for dinner. I knew our phone number, but was utterly mystified by the user interface. All the phones in our house were push-buttons :-) 6/

It's also notable to me that 99% of my calls with family, friends and colleagues are via phone. I'm happy to give clients the choice, and it can be good to (literally) see each other after so much time apart. But in my personal life I find the phone far preferable. 7/