Staying connected with friends all across the world can be easier with these simple ideas.
Long-distance friendships are valuable for sharing cherished memories and meaningful connections all around the world. Staying in touch and continuing to form new and lasting memories can be challenging at times. We’ve gathered some tips on how you can stay connected and involved with some of your long-distance friends.
Establish Regular Check-In Schedules
Consistent communication patterns help long-distance friendships thrive by creating predictable connection points that both friends can anticipate and prioritize. Weekly phone calls or monthly video chats provide reliable touchpoints that maintain your relationship despite busy lives and geographic separation. Regular schedules eliminate the stress of wondering when you’ll next connect while ensuring friendships remain active priorities.
Choose communication frequencies that feel sustainable for both people. Some friendships flourish with brief weekly check-ins, while others thrive on longer monthly conversations that allow for deeper discussions. Talk with your friend about what feels right for your friendship and try taking turns reaching out on the agreed-upon schedule.
Create Helpful Reminders and Systems
Paper calendars, phone alerts, or digital reminders help busy people remember to reach out to distant friends around daily responsibilities and commitments. Mark special dates like birthdays, holidays, or significant events in your friend’s life that deserve recognition and celebration. These reminders demonstrate thoughtfulness while ensuring you don’t miss important occasions due to hectic schedules.
Some people enjoy keeping friendship journals that track conversation topics, shared interests, or things to mention during next conversations. These notes help conversations feel current and engaged rather than struggling to remember what you discussed previously. Simple systems support relationship connections without feeling burdensome or overly complicated. Consider linking friend check-ins to regular activities in your own schedule, such as calling during weekly walks or reaching out on Sunday mornings with coffee.
Send Handmade Cards and Personal Messages
Handwritten notes carry special meaning, demonstrating thoughtfulness and effort that electronic messages cannot quite replicate. Create simple cards with personal messages about shared memories, current life updates, or expressions of appreciation for your friendship. The physical act of receiving mail from a friend creates a tangible connection that can brighten their day.
Consider sending small care packages occasionally with local treats, photos, or small items that remind you of shared experiences or inside jokes. These gifts create fun surprises and show you think about your friend even when they’re not nearby.
Utilize Accessible Phone Technology
Working around different time zones may not be the only challenge to keeping in touch via telephone, especially for people with hearing loss. Consider using a CapTel captioned telephone for your check-ins. CapTel shows captions what the other person on the line says, allowing you to read along so you catch every word of the conversation. This accessible telephone reduces communication barriers that might otherwise make phone calls feel stressful or frustrating for people who have difficulty hearing.
Attend Events Together Virtually or In Person
Special occasions provide wonderful opportunities to reconnect with long-distance friends through either virtual participation or planned visits. Attend online concerts, museum tours, or lectures together through video chat, creating shared new experiences that give you common talking points and memories. Many organizations now offer virtual programming specifically designed for remote participation.
You can also video call while doing a shared hobby. Needlepoint, sewing, embroidery, knitting, or drawing are all hobbies you can do together on a call, even if you’re miles away from each other.
Plan periodic in-person visits that allow for extended quality time and creation of new shared memories. These visits often become highlights of the year, providing concentrated friendship time that sustains the relationship through the months between visits. Consider coordinating travel to meet at destinations neither friend lives in, creating room for exploration and adventure together. These friendship trips often generate wonderful memories while demonstrating mutual investment in maintaining your relationship through dedicated time and travel effort.
Share Daily Life Through Photos and Updates
Quick photo sharing through text messages or email keeps friends updated on your daily life without requiring lengthy conversations or formal updates. Share garden progress, grandchildren milestones, interesting local sights, or simple moments that capture your current experiences. These small glimpses into your life help friends feel connected to your ongoing story.
Celebrate Milestones and Achievements
Acknowledge your friend’s important moments with cards, phone calls, or small gifts that demonstrate you remember and care about their significant life events. Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and personal achievements all deserve recognition that shows your continued investment in their happiness and success.
Keep Flexibility and Friendship as a Priority
Life can be busy and can ebb and flow with time. Communicate openly with your friends about changing needs or preferences in your friendship maintenance patterns. Some life seasons allow for frequent contact while others require accepting longer gaps between connections. Keep reminders on to check in with your friends and try to plan trips together to bridge the gaps. For more ideas, visit the CapTel blog.
