Hanging out with friends is a great way to relax during a much-needed break. However, it can be challenging to arrange to see friends who live far away. Often, plans don’t align or the drive time can seem daunting when you only get to spend a few hours at your destination. It’s still important to make time for your best friends when you can, and the holidays are often an opportunity to get up to date on each other’s lives. Whether you can see each other in person or struggle to plan even a phone call, there are many ways you can check in and stay close with your besties.
Virtual Night Out
If you can coordinate a time and date but are too far apart to meet up, virtual hangouts are a great way to plan a fun event together. You can even send a virtual save-the-date and create a theme or main event. You can set up a virtual movie night with pillows, blankets and your favorite snacks to bring to the theater. Sharing a movie online also allows you to chat about it primarily over text, which can be helpful if you prefer to watch in silence but don’t want to miss your friends chattering about their favorite parts. Alternatively, you can create a dinner date with your bestie, where you share separate meals and catch up. You can even set a dress code if you want to dress up, set a ‘menu’ so you bring similar food or make the event a tea party.
Staying Connected
Life gets busy, so there isn’t always much time for get-togethers or calls. Sometimes it feels easier to send a spontaneous message, but it can be difficult to have a long conversation when you want to know how someone is doing. Many self-care apps allow you to connect with friends, letting you see their schedules and send virtual hugs or motivation. These low-stakes messages can be sent and responded to at any time. It can be easier to let someone know you care about them by sending them reminders to meet goals like drinking water or to take study breaks than it is to send a text message that might feel it warrants a reply. Instead of getting stuck texting every few hours, casual notes can feel more low-stakes and accessible. It can also give you insight into what their days look like, so you can easily catch up on where they’re at in life and cheer them on.
As we head into finals season, stress levels start to rise. This season can make it difficult to maintain friendships and mental health, so finding ways to connect with people, even if you don’t see each other often, is crucial. Having moral support from the people you love makes finals season much more bearable, especially when you can return it easily without feeling guilty for being unavailable. True friendships endure, even when you’re miles apart and living different lives. Even when life gets busy, they will always have your back.