There is such strength behind having lasting friendships that withstand the difficulties of long distance. As challenging as this can be, you will find that these friendships, which both sides have worked hard to maintain, will be the most valuable. I have personally lived a lot of my life on the move and having stability with my friendships has been a steep learning curve. Over the years, I have learned that these three tips in particular have helped me tremendously with staying in touch from a distance.
- Prioritize COMMUNICATION
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This can vary in terms of how you both prefer to talk to one another, whether it be phone calls, FaceTime, text, or even handwritten letters. Out of any other tips I can give, dedicating time to reaching out and staying connected is the most crucial for a long-lasting friendship. Even if it is a quick call or message, plan out a time each week for you both to catch up with each other. One thing I recommend you try is sending audio messages whenever you want to share something in real time. These messages are also really comforting to listen back to when you miss each other.
- Be open-minded
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This might sound strange but from what I’ve learned, as time goes by in our independent lives, it is inevitable to see people change. Whether it be a mental or lifestyle change, you need to be open to seeing your friend be a different version of themselves compared to when you were younger. It does not mean you are no longer compatible, it is just the natural cycle of maturing. This especially applies to those in their teens through early 20s, an age when you are faced with navigating self-discovery and personal development. Never judge too harshly or feel that you lost the friend you used to have. Rather, focus on valuing who they have become, and let go of this idealized past that no longer applies.
- Make and keep plans
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Keep things exciting by making plans, that way you constantly have things to look forward to together. I love FaceTime dates, where you can eat dinner, watch a movie, bake, or do homework together. Life can get busy and there will be moments when you might be tempted to cancel your plans. This is the difficult side of long distance, but recognize that the extra effort you put in during those hectic days will be well worth it. Your commitment to one another will define how strong your friendship will be.
Being able to see and hang out with friends, especially in college, is something you shouldn’t take for granted. Although you can’t predict what is in store after you graduate, make the most of the relationships you have now. But don’t forget to put in the same effort for the friends that are hundreds if not thousands of miles away. Both my local and long-distance friendships are what I choose to invest a lot of my time into because they truly are priceless to me.