Why One Woman’s Simple Decision to Install a Landline is Inspiring a Generation

Mariah Houghton’s decision to install a landline in her New York brownstone was initially a personal boundary, but it soon became a viral sensation, urging people everywhere to reconnect with what truly matters.

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An Intentional Connection

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For Mariah Houghton, phone calls are a cherished moment with loved ones. Her vintage cream-colored landline, nestled quaintly on a wooden side table, adds a touch of peace in her life. As someone who works in social media management and influencing, her job requires her to be constantly connected to her smartphone. “I work on my cell phone, so I do social media management for my clients and influencing and stuff like that.”

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The allure of her New York brownstone was undeniable, and when she moved in a year ago, she had a distinct vision. “When I moved to New York about a year ago, I moved into an old brownstone, and I knew when I saw the apartment, I wanted to get a home phone, because I work on my phone, so I’m constantly on my phone, and to me conversations, especially with the people that do have my home phone number, are sacred and important.\\”

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Viral Resilience

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Houghton’s TikTok, captioned “why are landlines so healing #nostalgia,” struck a chord online, tapping into a collective longing for simpler times. Her decision to keep her landline as more than nostalgia but a boundary to prioritize meaningful interactions resonated broadly.

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“I believe, like I just believe, covenant requires conversation, so it’s very important to me to take time for that, and I found myself constantly multitasking,” she explains. “So I’d be on the phone with my mom, but I’d get an email, or I’d be on Pinterest at the same time, or doing other things. With the landline, it’s sitting right here — I literally can’t move. It’s not even wireless, so I have to sit in one place. I have to make the conscious decision to carve out time.”

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A Select Circle

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The phone number is a well-guarded secret, shared only with Mariah’s “favorite people.” “I picked kind of my top five people that I talk to every single day — someone that would need to reach me,” Houghton tells PEOPLE. The fortunate few include her parents, her sister, and her three best friends, creating a tight-knit circle where every ring is a welcomed connection.

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“It’s just, I wanted to know that when the phone rang, I would be excited about who’s on the other side. I don’t have caller ID, obviously, so I would drop anything for them. So that’s how I picked — and hopefully the people that don’t have the numbers don’t feel bad about that,” she adds.

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Nostalgic Ties

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Growing up, Mariah recalls the thrill tied to a ringing phone. “I remember growing up — I was born in ’96, but I have older cousins — so a lot of the things I had, I grew up a lot in my grandparents’ house,” she reminisces. “We kind of went back and forth, but a lot of things I had were late 80s, early 90s technology.”

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The ringing phone represented excitement and anticipation. “I just remember the excitement when the phone rang. I remember knowing it was either my dad calling from out of town, or my mom or whoever,” she elaborates. “I would literally call dibs. My cousins and I would call dibs on who could answer the phone that day.”

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Mindful Conversations

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By choosing a landline, Mariah carves out undisturbed time, free from distractions. “I tend to multitask a lot, but when it comes to a landline and a phone call, you have to just kind of stop, and it really reminds me to pay attention and do something one at a time,” she says. “I think that’s what heals my inner child. I get so excited when my phone rings, and I love it.”

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Her approach emphasizes the joys of simplicity in connection. “Sometimes convenience kills connection,” Houghton tells PEOPLE. “I want to be very intentional about the things I hold dear and the things that are sentimental to me.”

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A Home Full of Memories

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Her home reflects that intentionality, adorned with tactile reminders of cherished moments. “I keep a paper planner, photo albums — things that remind me of who I am,” she shares. “I even hope my kids one day collect DVDs. There’s something grounding about holding memories in your hand, not just scrolling through them.”

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Those closest to her appreciated her unique decision, seeing it as a natural extension of her personality. “They weren’t surprised at all. They were like, this is such a you thing — of course, you’re getting a landline,” Houghton laughs.

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Beyond the Digital

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As Houghton’s TikTok gained traction, the simplicity of a landline resonated with many. “I was so confused — I’m like, What did I post? What did I say? Oh, it’s the landline. People really felt that,” she remarks. Her story is a testament to the power of tangible connections amidst a digital-heavy world.

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For Houghton, self-care and healing often find a tangible form. “Why, when I see kids opening up a DVD or VHS, does that make me want to cry?” she muses. “There’s a part of you that’s asking yourself for that without the words.”

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She emphasizes that this longing is what she hopes others consider from her video. “I hope I can inspire other people to just have the convenience of your phone but not rely on it so much that you can’t survive without it,” Houghton tells PEOPLE. “It’s not about rejecting technology — it’s about remembering there’s beauty outside of it too.”

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A Call to Reflection

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As a final note, Houghton encourages others to carve out their unique paths of connection, suggesting, “It may not be the landline that’s your landline — it may not be that that’s the thing,” she reflects. “You may not like talking on the phone. Write a letter. Sit down and write a letter. It’s so healing. It’s so grounding.”

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Reporting based on the original article; quotes reproduced verbatim.