Mashable's series Don't @ Me combines unpopular opinions with...reasons in Don't @ Me. Although we all have our own ways, we might just be able to convince you to adopt ours. If not, don't panic.In quarantine, Zoom fatigue was real. But as people begin to leave their homes more often and return to socializing in person, I don't think it is too soon to stop using video chats.Do not get me wrong, I did find the seemingly endless stream Google Hangouts meetings and Zoom webinars draining. It's clear that video technology has brought us closer to one another at a time where we were physically separated. I for one want that closeness to last long after the quarantine is over.Although video chats can seem overwhelming, they can also be a great way to build relationships and save energy. Although you probably won't want to videochat again, I ask that we continue to make video calls a regular part our daily lives.Video chats: How to Love themAs I recall, before the pandemic, I didn't often video chat with my friends, family, or colleagues. To hear the most important news, such as a pregnancy announcement or engagement announcement, or to exchange warm greetings with loved ones out of state on major holidays, I would hop on video calls. Text messages and occasional phone calls were my main forms of communication.This all changed when the country began to lock down in March 2020, and people were starved of human contact. I participated in many video calls during quarantine. As I reflect back, I see that they were with people I would never have met in person in 2020 regardless of whether there was a pandemic or not.In front of a laptop screen with smiling faces from Arizona, Texas, and Florida, I lit candles for my birthday cake. If we hadn't been in Quarantine video chat mode, I wouldn't have seen my aunts, uncles and cousins that day, let alone the year. Although they could have texted me or called me, it was much more enjoyable to be together, even if it was only digital.During quarantine, I also had frequent video reunions with my friends in New Jersey, Florida and California. We would have simply communicated via iMessage group chat if it had been a normal year and waited until a mutual event brought all of us into one room. I videochatted with many pets in 2020. This is something I recommend to everyone who needs a quick boost of mood.Apart from my personal life and work, it has been difficult for me to work remotely. I live in Connecticut, and my office is in New York. Many of my coworkers have reunited since restrictions were lifted and they have all been vaccinated. This has sparked the return of FOMO. Video chats have allowed me to stay connected without the need for a long commute. For that, I am grateful.It's easy to communicate with loved ones out of state without using video chat, but it's still nice to see them in person every now and again. Video can add intimacy to conversations and is not only beneficial for long-distance relationships.Some hangouts should be strictly video chatsDo you know how many people claim that certain meetings could have been done via email? It's true that some meetings could have been done via email, but it can also be said about certain in-person meetups. Instead of dressing up and traveling to meet someone, spending money on lunch or coffee, why not have a video chat?The pandemic taught me the importance of self-care. I will try to cancel plans when I don’t feel like I can physically go.I miss being with people in person and that is why I will probably choose this first option. But, rather than risking burnout or pushing myself to socialize when tired, I'll request a substitute via video chat so we can still catch up face-to-face.Would you like to video chat with people constantly? No! Do you think video calls should be a part of everyday life after quarantine, and not just for emergencies? Yes.Although technology was indispensable in 2020, it proved to be tiring. However, if we incorporate it into our daily lives according to our own terms, we can achieve the perfect personal balance.
