5 tips to maintain a long-distance friendship
It’s not just long-distance relationships that are difficult, maintaining a long-distance friendships is equally challenging. Here are some great ways to maintain your connection with your dearest friends, even if they reside half way across the world.
1. Video chat
Whether it’s FaceTime or Skype, thanks to advancing technology there are so many ways to keep in touch with friends. It’s also a lovely touch to be able to see your friend’s face; even though it’s just virtual, it makes all the difference.
2. Keep sharing
Keep sharing what’s happening in your life with your friend. Don’t wait for the phone call or the visit, as you’ll most likely forget all the important details. It might be a Facebook post sharing a recipe you know you’ll both love or a text message telling them how something that happened today reminded you of them, but whatever it is, make an effort to keep sharing.
3. Be there for them
You can’t be there for your friends all the time and that’s ok, but if they’re in need for someone to lean on, there’s plenty of ways to offer support. A phone call, an email, or even virtual cards all show that you’re still there for them even if you’re not physically there.
4. Space is also fine
There’s no doubt that long-distance friendships take a little more work to maintain than the friends that live close-by, but at the same time, the physical distance (and perhaps different time zones) means that speaking all the time is not always feasible. That’s ok. Don’t feel guilty or bad about that.
5. Be ready for change
When you don’t see someone on a regular basis, it becomes more obvious when your friend changes. While the differences may seem quite dramatic to you, and make you feel disconnected to your friend’s life, remember that everyone changes and grows in life. Odds are, you’ve probably changed too!
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