How to keep friendships at a distance

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

It seems that modern technology makes it possible to maintain any kind of contact anytime, anywhere. But what about those who decided to go far and for a long time? Find out if friendships can be kept at a distance and how not to lose an emotional connection with friends.

In search of changes, new experiences and a higher standard of living, many of us or our friends change their place of residence and move to other cities and countries. If homesickness is a purely individual matter, hardly anyone would argue that it is easy to part with like-minded people.

One of the most painful moments in a move is the fear of losing old friends. Of course, when you change your place of residence, new acquaintances appear, but still an old friend is better than two new ones.

Is it possible to keep friendships at a distance if you or your friends have decided to move

The answer to this question depends on many factors. The main thing is your mutual desire to remain friends. I changed countries twice, and when I came back, my closest friends left the world. At the same time, the geography of the new places where they settled is really amazing: Great Britain, Spain, USA, France, Canada, Norway and even Indonesia.

But there is still friendship at a distance. It all depends on your desire. If friendship with a specific person is truly important to you, no distance will be a hindrance to you.

How to stay emotionally connected when you live in different places

Do not stop casual communication over trifles

It is very easy to move away from each other at a distance. But only if you don’t share information. True intimacy means lightness and ease in communication, which are often made up of little things. Now you don't even need to waste time on letters. Just let us know how you are doing by recording a voice message.

If you live nearby, then you are probably sharing silly jokes, photographs or some not very important facts from your life with your friends. If your friend moved to another country or city, essentially nothing has changed. You can also send each other in messengers stupid messages that do not carry a lot of meaning.

Headache? Write to a friend about it. At the same time, there will be a great reason to ask how he is doing. Have you received flowers? Send a picture of them to your friend. There will be a reason to talk about a new fan. Did you see an old photo from your trip together? Send it to a friend and remember past adventures.

The little things in life help maintain a friendly emotional background and the feeling that you are still speaking the same language. Next time, it will be easier to start any conversation.

Feel free to write first and take a step forward

A good friendship involves both sides involved. When you are far apart, forget about minor grievances. It's not so important who gets in touch first. You may simply not know how the other person feels in a new place at a particular moment, and your message may turn out to be a pleasant and unexpected surprise.

If they don't write or call you, this does not mean at all that they have forgotten about you, stopped loving or found a replacement. It happens that there is simply not enough time, energy, or a reason to initiate communication. Perhaps your friend is going through a difficult period and is embarrassed to talk about his difficulties. Remember that resentment does nothing to strengthen a friendship.

Show initiative and interest in your friend's life. Numerous instant messengers and social networks will allow you to find out how your friend is feeling and what he is doing at the moment, where he is going and what impressions he is getting. Write first, even if you have to do it periodically. If you appear from time to time in the life of another person, sooner or later your friend will begin to reciprocate and be the first to get in touch.

Make surprises even if you live far from each other

It is pleasant for all of us to think and it is extremely important to know that somewhere far away we are remembered and loved. Surprises from afar are themselves very unexpected. Don't be lazy and spend the time and energy doing something nice for your friend from a distance.

Technology allows you to make any surprises no matter where you and your friend are right now. Is it your friend's birthday? Order flowers with delivery. Do you miss your adventures together? Make an album with your photos and send it by courier. Did you see a cool gift? Buy online with home delivery to a friend.

And you can also create new traditions. For example, sending each other postcards from different places. It is not expensive at all, and it is incredibly pleasant to receive them. And if you can, be sure to visit a friend without telling him anything. Seeing a friend you didn't expect to meet anytime soon is truly invaluable. Just before the trip, do not forget to make sure that your friend is currently in the city.

Don't forget important dates

We live in the age of social networks, so there is no need to remember when your friends have birthdays. Facebook will remind you in time. Therefore, do not be lazy to call again and congratulate your friend on the holiday, because it is always nice to hear the voice of a loved one. Spending five minutes of your time will create a good mood for you and your friend for the whole day.

In no case do not be offended if suddenly a friend forgot to congratulate you. Perhaps he has had an extremely difficult work week or some misfortune has happened. Write about the important date yourself and forget about the grievances. There are many things that can be fixed in a relationship. The main thing is to explain in time what happened.

Create group messages and chats

The group dynamics of shared chats will help keep you emotionally connected with your friends. One head is good, but slightly better. From time to time, chats come to life, and the conversation starts by itself.

If you have common interests and acquaintances, you will have something to talk about. Group correspondence helps keep your finger on the pulse and maintains long-distance relationships.

And in the group, you can arrange a meeting in a place convenient for everyone. Joint trips and meetings in other cities are remembered for a long time and create a good foundation for further relations. After moving, you start to appreciate your loved ones more, so you don't put off anything for later.

What separates friendship at a distance from a relationship at a distance

Friendship is a relationship between people that requires exactly the same systematic work as a relationship in a couple. But with one caveat: friends can live in different places and maintain relationships for many years, or they may not communicate for several months or even years, and then suddenly meet and talk excitedly for hours.

Unlike long-distance relationships, you are not tormented by obsessive thoughts of who and where your friend is at the moment. And you don't need to build a joint plan for your future life.

Be sure of one thing: the friendship that has passed with dignity through the distances is truly real.