How Do You Maintain Long-Distance Friendships?
Long-distance friendships can be challenging, but they don’t have to fade away. Hear from a co-founder and a founder as they share their top strategies for keeping these bonds strong. The article kicks off with advice on sharing stories to stay connected and wraps up with planning yearly trips with friends, offering a total of three insightful tips. Read on to discover how to maintain these important relationships despite the miles apart.
- Share Stories to Stay Connected
- Schedule Virtual Coffee Catch-Ups
- Plan Yearly Trips with Friends
Share Stories to Stay Connected
One of the best ways I’ve found to keep long-distance friendships strong is by sharing stories. When you’re not able to experience life side by side, sharing the moments that matter-big or small-can keep you connected.
I have a friend who lives halfway across the country, and we have a tradition: every week, we send each other a “story of the week.” Sometimes it’s a funny parenting adventure or a quiet moment of gratitude, but these stories make us feel like we’re still part of each other’s lives. It’s a way to bridge the distance and remind each other that we’re in this together, even from afar.
Stories have the power to create intimacy, even over miles. Whether it’s a text, a voice note, or a handwritten letter, sharing what’s on your heart can turn distance into connection.
Danielle Dahl
Co-Founder, Resilient Stories
Schedule Virtual Coffee Catch-Ups
Maintaining long-distance friendships has been a rewarding challenge for me, and I’ve learned that consistent, meaningful communication is key. One of my best friends and I, despite living in different cities, set aside time every month for a virtual coffee catch-up.
We’ve made it a tradition to choose a theme for our chats, whether it’s sharing new book recommendations or discussing our latest adventures, which keeps the conversation fresh and engaging.
I also send surprise care packages filled with local snacks or handwritten notes, which always brings a smile and strengthens our bond. Thus, I would recommend finding creative ways to stay connected and intentionally scheduling time together.
These little gestures remind us that, despite the distance, our friendship remains a priority, and they make each reunion even more special.
Aseem Jha
Founder, Legal Consulting Pro
Plan Yearly Trips with Friends
My friends and I do a yearly trip. We live all over the country. In order to make sure everyone attends and we are engaged in the preparation of the trip, we have a group savings account. Each month $50 from each one of us is auto deposited into this savings account. Then for our trip, all those funds are used towards flights and hotels. It keeps everyone excited, and if you miss it, you’re out your money! For the last four years, all of us have attended it each time.
Jeff Michael
Ecommerce Business Owner, Mothers Family Rings
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