Staying Connected and Involved with Friends and Family
How the Internet Changed Everything
Many people ask if I feel far away from friends and family. My answer? Not at all. Thanks to the internet, staying connected is easier than ever—no matter where you live.
Whether you’re next door, across the city, or on the other side of the world, you can still be part of your loved ones’ lives. The location doesn’t matter. The internet has changed everything.
The Death of Long Distance
Remember paying for long-distance phone calls? That’s history. Today, there are so many free ways to connect online. Sure, there are paid options, but for everyday communication? You don’t need them.
And let’s face it—we don’t really call people anymore. We use apps. My phone is more of a communication device than a telephone.
Real-Life Examples from This Week
This week, I spent more time than usual chatting with friends and family around the world:
I attended my cousin’s funeral in Ottawa by video and watched a beautiful eulogy.
My best friend in Ottawa and I had a morning/nightcap call. I showed him my latest art project and got his feedback.
A friend sent me photos of my mail and we chatted about my house surviving an ice storm. We even compared our cats’ health.
I met with my Canadian accountant about taxes.
I joined a condo board meeting in Ottawa.
I checked in on a friend in the hospital—virtually.
I joined a UK webinar on scriptwriting.
I took a crochet workshop with a woman in the US.
I joined a local group chat to plan an event.
And yes, I exchanged dozens of messages every day.
All this happened online, while I sat on my deck in Thailand. The only thing I have to manage is the time difference for live calls. Messaging, though, works any time.
7 Great Ways to Stay Connected
1. Voice & Video Calls
Apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, FaceTime, and Zoom make voice and video calls easy and free. You can turn off your camera if you want to see them, but not be seen.
2. Group Calls
Use the same apps for group calls. You can see everyone, or just listen in. It’s great for family check-ins or casual friend groups.
3. Live Online Events
Webinars, virtual classes, and meetups are everywhere—on Facebook, YouTube, Substack, and more. You don’t even need the app, just a link. And the chat feature lets you connect with others.
4. Sending Personal Videos
Make your own video messages to share updates. You can post them privately or create your own YouTube channel. A video says so much more than a text!
5. Email
Email is still great—especially now that we can check it on our phones. It works well for both personal notes and group newsletters like this one.
6. Messaging
This is how most of us communicate every day. Quick messages to say hi, ask questions, share a photo, or just check in. There are countless apps for this.
7. Visits & Meet Ups
This one’s a bit old-school, but still matters. Visiting people—whether nearby or abroad—helps keep bonds strong. Just don’t drop in unannounced! Most folks like a heads-up to tidy up, put on pants, and prepare a snack.
It’s Not Where You Are—It’s How You Connect
For me, staying connected isn’t about geography. It’s about choosing the right tool for the moment. Whether I’m chatting with someone on Koh Lanta or catching up with a friend in Ottawa, I have all the tools I need.
What’s Next?
As I wrote this newsletter, I realized something important. Most of my communication this week was tied to my passions—art, writing, learning, creating.
Since retiring, I’ve had the time and space to focus on what I love. And doing that has naturally expanded my network. I’ve met more people who are also following their passions.
So stay tuned!
✅ I would love to hear from you. I’m totally open for newsletter suggestions so feel free to let me know what you’d like me to write about, in the comments..
✅ What is your ‘retirement status’? Tell me if you’re retired, planning your retirement, want to live way out there, or maybe spend half the year traveling.
✅ I have a question for you? What communication method(s) work best for you? Let me know in the comments and we can start a discussion.
✅ Enjoy this newsletter? Share it with someone who dreams of retiring somewhere different.
✅ Next newsletter on April 19: I’ll dive into how exploring your passions and hobbies, provides you with opportunities to meet new people, have new adventures, and provides you with purpose—stay tuned!
✅ Visit my websites: Here are links for my Happy Cat website for many articles on my life on Koh Lanta, and for information about my books (all available on Amazon) on my Perley-Ann website.
It’s all good - see you April 19…