How to Creatively Maintain Long Distance Friendships

How to Creatively Maintain Long Distance Friendships

Friends are a benefit in life that we sometimes take for granted. When they live nearby we expect they’ll always be around, ready for the next adventure. But, life gets in the way of friendships sometimes and they (or you) end up moving far away, unable to get together for that last minute lunch or fun get together. Just because your friend might be experiencing different weather patterns now, doesn’t mean you two can’t still make your friendship work. Like everything in life, something worth having is worth putting effort into.

Start Your Own Traditions

Perhaps the two of you always met for coffee on Sunday mornings. That can still be a thing! Text, phone or video call each other from the comfort of your own kitchen or from the diner down the street. Talk about the past week and your plans for the upcoming one. While it’s not exactly the same as seeing each other in person, when consistent, it’ll be a time you both look forward to.

Surprise Them

Friends love surprises! And chances are good that when you follow through with a few small surprises, your friend will return the favor. It can become a back and forth that proves you’re thinking about each other and that the friendship means a lot to you. So, what can you surprise them with?

• An unexpected text right before a big moment. A business presentation, a big date, when they’re ill, just to say hi
   
• A bouquet of flowers. Everyone thinks to send ‘favorite’ flowers so why not send a bouquet of unusual or exotic flowers instead? They might just become your best friend’s new favorite.
   
• Gift card. No matter how big or small, a gift card can be purchased to make their day brighter and more convenient. Whether the card is to be used at a pet store, fast food restaurant or virtually anything else under the sun, they’ll be eternally grateful.
   
• Basket of goodies. You could choose a theme or grab goodies of your own choosing. Snacks, drink mixes, cute stuffed animals, journals, wine, chocolates, remember, presentation goes a long way so add colorful ribbons and the basket will be on display long after the items inside have been used.

Plan a Trip

It doesn’t matter if the trip the two of you take is scheduled for a month into the future or a year – 50% of the fun is in the planning and preparation of it. Choose a location in the middle or somewhere else you’ve never been. Get on the phone, exchange texts and emails about all of the sights you want to see, where you’ll be staying and the must-visit restaurants. 

Create a Scrapbook Together

Even though it will get more costly each time you send the scrapbook back and forth, it will be worth it to see what your friend has included. Take one or two pages each and every time and fill it with photos, stickers, memories, ephemera, anything that catches the eye and the heart. Receiving it will be highly anticipated, and working on it will be even more fun.

This can also be done online if you are both okay with not holding a scrapbook in your hands. Online creation allows for multiple ideas such as future travel ideas; birthdays; holidays; nights out, goofy pics, and whatever else you can dream up.

Create a Challenge

Friends are there to support you, and you them. Is there something both of you have wanted to do, individually, that you just haven’t gotten around to yet? It might be learning a new language, practicing cooking techniques, running a 5K. You and your friend can each choose your own individual challenge and talk about it with one another. Create a challenge and goals document in the cloud so you both can access and update it. A time frame such as the end of the year or several months will give you both the time and opportunity to complete your goal, while holding each other accountable.

Tell them You Love Them

At the end of the day there really isn’t anything better than hearing the words, “I love you.” When people move away, it’s sometimes easy for them to move out of your heart. When you make the concerted effort to keep them close, spending just a few seconds on an affectionate text every now and again will easily make their day. 

Far away friends may not be close at hand but they can be close at heart. Instead of focusing on the sadness of them moving, get creative and come up with strategies to implement that will keep you both in each other’s lives.

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