Staying In Touch with Long-Distance Friends
When you and a close friend suddenly have hundreds or thousands of miles between you, keeping the bond can feel a little bit trickier.
Whether you’ve gone travelling or they need to relocate, it’s only a natural part of life to move away from one another at some point.
Luckily, with some time and effort on both sides, your friendship can thrive and flourish into the future too. We’ve covered some of the best ways to enjoy and rejuvenate your long-distance friendship below.
Schedule regular chats
With so many gadgets around us, it’s never been easier to chat to loved ones who live far away. From video calling on FaceTime or WhatsApp to traditional phone calls on the landline, it’s easy to pick up a phone and get talking. The harder part is agreeing on a time and date to do it!
We recommend making the time to schedule in a call, at least monthly. Clear your diaries for a couple of hours, or perhaps the whole evening, so you can really get caught up. You could agree to both order a takeaway at the same time, or simply step away from your routine.
Find ways to share time together
Even though you’re physically apart, you can still find ways to virtually enjoy each other’s company! Whether that’s watching the same movie simultaneously or playing multiplayer games together on a server, technology means you can make new memories from different locations.
If you’re looking for something a little bit suspenseful, you can play online bingo together and be in with the chance of winning some great prizes. Just bear in mind that some games might require both of you to be physically in the UK.
Book a getaway
Nothing compares to meeting up in person. If you’d like to properly catch up on all the gossip, explore a new place together and truly take a break from the daily grind, booking a little holiday together could be the perfect call.
Take some time to discuss the best city break destinations together on your next FaceTime call. If you can find a weekend where you’re both free, getting something booked could help keep the anticipation strong in your friendship too. Relax, recharge, and enjoy some quality time together abroad!
Send little surprises
Even if you and your friend live in different countries, you can still send care packages and cute surprises in the post. Nothing feels as good as receiving something unexpectedly, especially if it’s from a lifelong friend!
If they’ve moved to another country and they’re missing home comforts, why not send some British classics? There are plenty of pre-made luxury hampers to choose from if you’re stuck for ideas.
Whether it’s a thoughtfully-put-together care package, an item of clothing or a piece of jewellery, there’s almost no better way to let them know you’re thinking about them.
A journey of friendship
It’s no secret that distance makes friendships harder, but by now, it should hopefully be clear that it only takes a little bit of effort to keep your special bond strong. Being consistent is more important than anything else – and by finding ways to enjoy your favourite activities together, you can stay just as close as you were before.
