I have a couple of older relatives who only communicate via phone call and I hate talking on the phone. My other relatives don't stay in contact as often as I do, so I feel bad not reaching out and keeping them company.
Do you have any strategies to manage the energy drain from phone calls?
I get stressed out because I'm trying to hear what the person is saying and if I listen quietly, they can't see me nodding and paying attention. So I have to consciously add verbal confirmations that I hear them and I'm paying attention.
I think I need to fidget, but it's also just not being sure how to convey I'm paying attention. I think I'll ask my relatives to bear this in mind; that I'm listening even if you don't hear me saying 'uh huh'.