Staying in touch with people you care about seems relatively straightforward. And yet, how many times do we end the summer promising to stay in touch, only to lose contact a few weeks later? The school year can be hectic, and before you know it, you’re looking back and wishing you had done more to keep in touch with those who matter. However, with busy schedules, it can be tough to keep contact. Here are some of the things I do to stay connected with people I don’t see often.
Plan availability ahead of time
One of the toughest things when trying to reach out to someone is actually finding the right time to catch up. This is especially true when you and the person you’re reaching out to both have busy schedules. Since I’ve found this to be the biggest hurdle for staying in touch, I make a point to look at my schedule well in advance. At the beginning of the semester, I make a calendar of my availability. When I reach out to a family member or friend who I want to stay in contact with, I share with them when I’m available and ask what days they are free around the same time. This way, even if we don’t talk every week, there’s a time in our schedules we know we are both free, making scheduling a time to talk much easier.
Send little messages throughout the week
Small things go a long way. One of the best ways I’ve kept in touch with people is by shooting them messages here and there during my week. If I’m thinking of my dad, I’ll text him, telling him that I miss him. If I see a post on social media that reminds me of a friend, I send it to them, telling them that it made me think of them. These things are so simple and take only a few seconds out of your day. It’s as easy as saying “I’m thinking about you today. I hope you’re doing well!” By reaching out on a regular basis, even in simple ways, you feel more connected to those people.
Prioritize consistency
All of this is easy in theory, but then schedules get packed, and it becomes harder to make an effort. And yet, the friendships and general relationships that stay the strongest are the ones you prioritize in your everyday life. Sometimes, this means being creative – talking to someone on your walk to or from class, for example. Other times, it means being conscious about how you spend your free time. Routines are hard to create and easy to break, but prioritizing long-distance connections allows you to maintain meaningful relationships.
Not everyone is naturally good at staying in touch with their friends and family who aren’t close by. For those people, it requires more intentionality. And as someone with a packed schedule, I understand how challenging it can be to keep in touch with everyone you want to connect with. However, despite the challenge at times, I’ve never regretted making the time for the people I care about.