Much like long-distance romantic relationships, long-distance friendships can be high maintenance. Friendship needs nurturing to keep the connection well and alive. That said, you don’t necessarily have the financial means nor the time to travel halfway across the planet to see each other.
But even if you can’t meet in person as much as you’d like, it is still worth putting in the effort to keep in touch with the foreign friends you’ve met during college or the childhood friends that have long moved far from your hometown. So, let’s explore some of the ways you can stay close to long-distance friends.
Don’t be afraid to reach out
Sometimes, there is a discrepancy between how you’d like the relationship to flow and the lack of initiative to actually reach out. Hence, the first step toward a healthy long-distance friendship is to figure out ways to be proactive in the relationship while respecting the other half’s needs and boundaries.
Some friends don’t have enough time on their hands to afford hour-long phone conversations because of their work or family duties. If so, shorter but equally meaningful interactions might cut it. Maybe your commuting time will be an opportunity to catch up, even if it means talking for only a few minutes.
Conversely, don’t hesitate to let your friend know you’re thinking about them when listening to a song you both love or driving past a restaurant you used to visit together. While random messages don’t call for an immediate answer, they can go a long way in maintaining a long-distance connection.
Be upfront about how you feel
Miscommunication can happen in any long-distance relationship. While being confrontational is never comfortable, sweeping conflicts under the rug isn’t sustainable. If you’ve been hurt by your friend’s words or feel like there is unfinished business after you last met, you would do a disservice to your friendship by keeping your feelings to yourself, as they may spiral into a vicious circle of resentment and ultimately leave you both estranged.
Once you’ve worked up the courage, calling out your friend in aggressive fashion isn’t the answer, either. But there are ways to confront conflicts between friends without alienating them. First, be sure not to drop it all on your friend without notice by setting the parameters for these difficult conversations in advance.
Choosing an appropriate time is of the essence to give plenty of room for both parties to express themselves. Try and raise your point in a non-accusatory way while listening intently to your friend’s perspective, taking a step back if needed to consider the bigger picture before reaching a compromise.
Share quality moments
Unless you’re the ultimate digital nomad, hopping on a plane on a whim to stay at your friend’s place for a few days isn’t always an option. But you can bond no matter how far apart you might be by engaging in a range of shared activities. If you’ve been talking for years about learning how to sew or play the guitar, get right to it together. Common interests can also spark conversations – and a wealth of inside jokes and references only you share. If you love cooking, send pictures of the latest cake you baked.
Depending on your hobbies, you can also plan for movie dates or game nights. For instance, multiplayer games have you cooperate to solve puzzles or take down each other in fierce battles of wits. If you feel like spicing things up, you may even play high-stakes poker games or join forces to beat the bank at blackjack. Many online platforms boast such multiplayer live dealer sessions.
Playing together consistently may even help you climb up the ranks to join a VIP casino. Top-tier players making high deposits can collect reward points to move through loyalty schemes and reap exclusive rewards. Giving their high-roller users special treatment, VIP casinos offer perks like birthday bonuses or luxury gifts. You may even land invites to VIP events to attend alongside your friend.
Long-distance friendship can easily get lost in time differences, schedule mismatches, and unaddressed misunderstandings until you realize eventually that the connection is no more. Thankfully, you can work toward cherishing the relationship. Of course, some friendships deteriorate and die over time, with distance one of many contributing factors in a friendship breakup. But being actively involved in your friend’s life is a sure way to steer the relationship in a new direction while keeping a strong bond.
