A Complete Guide For Keeping Up With Long Distance Friends
- Tosha
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 21 hours ago
It’s hard maintaining friendships after college, trust me, I know. People are moving, starting grown-up jobs, getting married and starting families. It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily tasks of life and lose the connections and bonds you’ve developed during your time in college. That’s why I’ve created this easy to follow, complete guide to help you keep up with your long distance friends and ensure your bonds stay strong.
1. Set a regular check-in schedule
a. Try to remain consistent. While life gets busy, setting a regular time to catch up (whether it’s weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly) helps keep the connection alive. Even if it's just a quick text or a 15-minute video call, the effort matters.ain consistent. While life gets busy, setting a regular time to catch up (whetr it’s weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly) helps keep the connection alive. Even if it's just a quick text or a 15-minute video call, the effort matters.
b. Be realistic about availability. Don’t commit to more than you can handle. If you can’t do weekly calls, maybe opt for sending a monthly update via a quick text to check in.
2. We’re Gen Z – use TECHNOLOGY to your ADVANTAGE!
a. Video calls (Zoom, FaceTime, Google Meet) are great for feeling close even when you're miles apart. It’s better than just texting because you can catch up in real-time and see each other’s faces.
b. Group chats (WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or even Snapchat) allow you to stay in touch more casually and share updates, memes, or just everyday thoughts.
c. Voice messages are a fun alternative to texting when you want to hear someone's voice without taking the time to sit on a video call.
3. Plan future visits or trips: Having something to look forward to, like an in-person visit or a trip, can help keep the excitement in the friendship. Even if it’s months down the line, having concrete plans can make the distance feel less daunting.
a. Step 1: Think about your next trip WHILE you’re already visiting that person. Sit down together and figure out some ideal locations and timeframes for your next visit/trip. Follow up a week or two after your visit and start planning logistics, cost mapping, ect.
b. Step 2: ACTUALLY make it out of the group chat. Plan your trip early enough in advance so you can save, request time off of work, secure child care, ect. You can even set a savings goal for your trip and work that into your budget if you’re (really) serious about ensuring you are prepared for the trip!
c. Note : Your visits/trips don’t have to be extravagant. It’s not about what all you do during your visit; it’s about the connection and bond that you’re trying to maintain. Some of my favorite hangouts with my friends have been movie nights where we literally have something affordable for dinner (like pizza or sports bar food) and watch random movies until we fall asleep.
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you’ve gotten valuable information from this post. Love ya,
Tosha.
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