10 Ways To Keep Long-Distance Friendships Alive And Fun!
If you have any long-distance friendships, it’s essential to do the best you can to keep them alive and fun. We have some creative and fun ways you need to know!
At times, it can seem challenging for the best of friends to maintain long-distance friendships. In addition to the physical distance, it also means that you might not feel heavily involved in one another’s life.
Although, while it does seem challenging, we have it easier now than ever before due to technology. There are several ways that you can maintain a friendship and remain close.
In this article, we have some fun and exciting ways for you to maintain your long-distance friendships.
Your Long-Distance Friendships Mean More Than You Think
Now, more than ever before, our friendships mean more to us every day. Yes, social distancing will pass, and we will once again be able to join our friends and family. With that said, we will still have long-distance friendships that require nurturing.
Regardless of your age, friendships mean a lot to us, and it’s often tricky maintaining IRL (in real life) friendships much less long-distance ones. As you know, communication is key to a fruitful friendship, and it must be dual-sided. However, you can learn how to keep them better alive and thriving!
1 – Video Calls Are One Of The Best Ways To Stay In Touch
If you think about it, we are very fortunate to have this type of technology readily available. Video chat or conferencing is one of the best ways to keep your long-distant friendships alive and thriving.
As a result of social-distancing, video chatting grows in popularity. Although, in my opinion, it’s always been the preferred way to stay in touch with friends and family.
Many people in romantic relationships use video chat and have for years now. There’s something very personal about staying connected through video. Besides, you can record your video calls for playback when you feel nostalgic and want to “feel” the moments once again.
Additionally, with video calls, you can include other people and play games to add excitement and fun as well!
2 – Handwritten Letters From The Heart
While it’s true technology does make it easier to stay connected, at times, it feels very impersonal. Handwritten letters remain a compelling and personal way to keep in touch.
Think about it, wouldn’t you love receiving a handwritten letter from a friend or loved one? Sure, we receive hundreds of text messages and emails every day, but not one personal note or letter.
More so, you can include photos, trinkets, or any other way to let them know you are thinking about them. Remember back in the day when chain letters were all the rage? There was a reason for it. Folks enjoy the personal connection regardless if they are your friends or not.
However, if you feel you are not the best writer in town, don’t worry. There are plenty of free online writing courses on the internet so you can brush up on your skills! Plus, a true friend will never critique your writing skills in the first place!
3 – Sending Gifts To Your Friends
Without a doubt, sending gifts is the perfect way to let your long-distant friendships know how you feel. You don’t have to spend a small fortune either. After all, it’s the gift that counts, right?
Above all, I love sending gifts to let folks know they are in my thoughts and heart. Hearing their surprise and joy is more than enough in return. Think about it, you could send chocolate gifts by post, which is always a great idea. And sure make your friend very happy. Plus, it is a treat that they can enjoy and indulge themselves in.
Once your friend receives the gift, they will most likely send you a thank you note too. And this is a great way to start the letter-writing process also.
4 – Start Sending Subscription Boxes
Similarly, subscription boxes are another great way to let your long-distant friendships know you are thinking about them.
If you don’t know, subscription boxes, typically filled with a wide range of products and goodies, you can send in the mail. They range in cost and offer a wide array of services and products as well.
Above all, they are the gift that keeps giving. Well, for as long as you pay for the subscription, that is. The options are endless and range from items like healthy snacks, alcohol, magazines, etc.
Think about something the two of you often enjoyed together and see if there is a subscription box that fits! Maybe, the two of you enjoyed listening to music together and order a box for them. Plus, think of what great conversation starters this will be. You can talk about what they received and share memorable moments.
Also, if they love tea and you shared many special moments over a cup of assorted teas together. You can order a Sampler Tea Subscription Box to send to them every month. Moments like these will create lasting memories and beautiful conversations too. The possibilities are endless for your and your long-distant friendships.
5 – Coordinate What You Read, Watch & Listen To
Henceforth, you could also coordinate what films and TV you watch, the books you read, and music you listen to in-between chats. It’s not difficult to schedule a time to coordinate these things and the payoff, well worth it! Doing so will give you both great conversation starters, whether on the phone or a video call.
With so many popular Netflix movies, you can even schedule a time to watch them together during a video chat. Also, you can send each other your favorite Spotify playlist too! You can arrange to do these activities weekly and even bring in some of your other long-distant friendships on the calls also.
6 – Send Photo Messages
Another fun idea is sending photo messages to each other. It’s a great way to keep your long-distant friendships in the loop about your life as well. Whether it’s a selfie or a group photo with your friends, it will bring a warm smile to your friend’s face.
You can schedule sending them once a week or choose random times. Either way, it lets them know you are thinking of them throughout the day. Sending photos keeps you connected through the hard times too. You don’t only have to send happy images, either. You can let your friend know you are struggling or having a challenging time.
7 – Make Future Plans
It is tough when you have a friend that lives a long way away, and you do not know when you will next get to see them. We all know It’s hard enough making plans with local friends much less long-distant ones. Making plans gives your relationship hope in knowing you’ll see each other once again soon.
More so, this is why you should make plans with them for the future if possible. This way, you will both have something to look forward to, even if it is not for a long time. Sometimes long-distance relationships need to have plans for a face-to-face catchup as these are important for maintaining a secure connection. Without these types of friendships, things can quickly sour.
Additionally, try to mix up where you meet so that it is not always one person visiting the other, and you could even meet halfway, which can be fun. It can also give you new places to explore together.
8 – Make Sure You Open Up to Them
In today’s social media age, you only ever get a constructed view of what is happening in people’s lives, and it is rarely a true reflection. With social media on the rise, it’s often difficult to tell what’s real and what’s not. Often, we get a convoluted sense of what’s really happening in our friend’s lives.
More so, this is why opening up play an essential part in your friendships. And it lets them know what’s going on in your life. It’s good for your friend to know you are willing to open up and express honest feelings with them. In turn, they will open up to you as well. Make a point of opening up to your long-distant friendships. It’s a great way to stay connected and keep an honest and close companionship.
9 – Video Games Are A Great Way To Stay Connected
If you love playing video games and you know your friends do as well, think about how much fun you will have playing online. Plus, there are so many free games you can both play also.
However, make sure you schedule the time to play and do it weekly. You can also invite a bunch of other friends to join at the same time. And if either of you have children, you can have them join as well. Think about the laughs and excitement you will all have playing. It’s a great way to keep your friendship juices flowing!
10 – Schedule A Date For Special Occasions
Throughout the year, your bestie will indeed celebrate their birthday as well as the holidays we celebrate every year. Therefore, it’s so important to schedule a few hours to spend celebrating these special moments together.
In fact, you can video chat with them and your family celebrating holidays together, so they feel like a genuine part of your family. Think about how connected you will feel to them. And they can do the same for you with their friends and family as well. It’s moments like these that let your long-distant friends know how much you care.
In fact, if you want to maintain your long-distant friendship, you can and enjoy them too! All you need is a little imagination and the willingness to go the extra mile.
Don’t forget to read 8 Things I Do To Reduce Stress And Anxiety
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