Distant Friends, Lasting Ties: Easy Stay-Connected Ideas

August 17, 2023

Since my move to California, maintaining the strong bonds with my lifelong best friends has proven to be a bit challenging. Initially, we managed to stay in touch really well, but the demands of life gradually took a toll. In this blog post, I'll be sharing tips that have helped me rekindle and strengthen the connections with these cherished individuals who are now miles away. Sharing these simple tips show how even with distance, maintaining meaningful relationships is entirely attainable.

I value the people in my life and regularly prioritize those who are important to me. Friends and family are the enduring pillars that guide me through every season in life. Despite encounters when my dedication isn't reciprocated and was relegated to the last role in partnerships, I'm adamant that it's critical not to overextend yourself. While my natural tendency has been to invest totally and provide exceptional attention, it is critical to realize the reciprocity of effort, especially living so far. As you absorb and integrate these lessons into your life, pay attention to individuals who actually cherish your presence; after all, actions speak volumes, and genuine care is evident.

Regular Video Calls: Calls and FaceTime represent the basic foundation of communication, so this one is a known tip LOL...(but if you don't call those you love regularly...Please do better...) Send Mail: Exchanging mail became a regular ritual between my friends and me. We'd send each other books, flowers, and tokens for celebrations, as well as simple cards. Receiving mail from my loved ones made me feel truly cherished, as nowadays, genuine gestures are rare. It's incredibly enjoyable to send letters unexpectedly, sharing that excitement and adding a touch of love to each other's lives. I feel like some of us do this with family already but as I got older I realized that my friends are family and they deserve that appreciation too.

Virtual Movie Nights: I absolutely adore selecting a movie or show and constantly texting/call each other throughout the entire movie hahaha. It's undeniably one of my cherished activities with my close circle. If you haven't tried this yet, I highly recommend picking a favorite movie (old or new) of theirs or yours and exchanging texts throughout.

Shared Playlists: Playlists, playlists, playlists... Music is extremely important in my life, and playlists are even more essential. I'm the type who curates playlists for every mood and occasion. However, there's something so fun about making a playlist with a friend, centered around a theme, and then exchanging them to listen to. I can't put my finger on it, but this deepens my connection with them.

Book Club: Similar to my connection with music, books also hold a special place in my heart. I consistently engage in shared reading experiences with friends and family members. Whenever I pick up a set of new books, I instinctively reach out to my peoples to see if they want to read the same as book me. Much like the movie scenario, the act of reading together remarkably enhances my sense of closeness with someone.

Video Diaries: From the moment I got my first camera, I began preserving memories by creating video diaries. At first, it involved my family, and then I extended it to my friends. On special occasions like birthdays, I'd send videos expressing my gratitude for them. This tradition has caught on, and I'm pleased my loved ones have embraced it. Being someone who lacks videos of my own early life, spanning from birth to around age 11, video diaries and capturing memories hold so much importance to me (I'm the person video taping everything hahah). I wholeheartedly encourage you to begin creating video diaries at the start and end of each year, as well as on each birthday - Your future self will surely appreciate it!

"Family and friends are hidden treasures, seek them and enjoy their riches." – Wanda Hope Carter

Being the friend who's far away, I took the initiative to gather insights from my family and conducted my own research on how to maintain connections with those dear to me. The resulting list encapsulates the regular activities I engage in with the individuals I hold in high regard. My nature has always been one of fostering unity, orchestrating gatherings, and cherishing moments that others might consider ordinary but are, in fact, the essence of a fulfilling life. It's these seemingly modest gestures that truly infuse life with its unique charm. While some may find this a bit excessive, I firmly believe in going the extra mile for those I hold dear – after all, there's no limit to how far I'll go to show my genuine affection!