“There is magic in long-distance friendships. They let you relate to other human beings in a way that goes beyond being physically together and is often more profound.” — Diana Cortes.
When it comes to long-distance relationships, many people are hesitant to embrace the idea, especially knowing how challenging it can be. But have you ever wondered about or experienced long-distance friendships? Since my high school years, I've had the opportunity to connect with individuals from various nationalities, whether through work or studies. While most of my relationships remained cordial, I still managed to form strong bonds with people from different backgrounds and origins. Additionally, some of my friends now live far away, whether in another city, country, or even on a different continent. Maintaining these relationships is not easy, and it often leads us to question how we can keep these connections alive despite the distance. In this post, I will explore the challenges of long-distance friendships and share some effective strategies for nurturing these valuable relationships. Thank you for joining me. Enjoy.
The challenge of long distance friendship.
Long-distance friendships come with unique challenges that can test the strength and resilience of the bond between friends. One of the primary challenges is the limited physical interaction, which can lead to feelings of loneliness and emotional disconnection. Without the ability to share spontaneous moments or provide physical support, friends may struggle to maintain a sense of closeness. Communication barriers also play a significant role, as reliance on technology can sometimes hinder genuine connection. Misunderstandings can arise from text messages or video calls, where non-verbal cues are missing, leading to potential conflicts. Additionally, conflicts might be more difficult to handle because of the lack of convenient times to talk, especially when friends live in different time zones or have busy lives.
As time passes, the risk of fading connections increases if both friends don’t actively invest in the relationship. The lack of shared experiences can create gaps in understanding and intimacy, making it challenging to relate to each other’s lives. This can lead to feelings of jealousy or insecurity as friends may question their place in each other’s lives, especially if new friendships are formed locally. Lastly, the emotional strain of longing for a closer connection can create feelings of frustration and sadness, making it essential for friends to communicate openly about their feelings and work together to overcome these challenges. Despite these difficulties, many people find that the effort to maintain long-distance friendships is ultimately rewarding, as it can lead to deeper understanding and connection. But how do they people successfully navigate all the challenge to create and maintain thriving connections?
How to maintain a long distance friendship?
Maintaining a long-distance relationship is not easy, let alone a long distance friendship. Unlike friendships that thrive on spontaneous meetups and shared experiences, long-distance friendships demand more effort to nurture and sustain. However, with the right strategies in place, it’s entirely possible to keep the bond strong and meaningful. Here are some effective ways to maintain a long-distance friendship:
— Regular Communication: set up regular video or phone calls to catch up and stay connected. Use messaging apps for quick chats throughout the day. Share photos and updates on social media platforms to keep each other in the loop. For this, I like to use Snapchat streaks, which for me are more than about upgrading my Snap score (which I has no interest in), but it's mostly about sharing daily content with people that are close to me so that we both know what's going on in each other lives. You can also engage in joint activities: for example, read the same book and discuss it together or take an online class or workshop together to bond over a shared interest.
— Celebrate Special Occasions: Celebrate birthdays or milestones with video calls, gift exchanges, or virtual parties, mail birthday or holiday cards to add a personal touch. You can also randomly send each other care packages with favorite snacks, books, or personal items to show you’re thinking of them.
—Be Honest and Open: I remember I was playing 'So...' games with a friend of mine (Hey Garey) and we felt on this question: How do you know when a friendship will last? Without thinking too much I said that I think a friendship will last when we are both honest. You know, it's easy to fall for aesthetics. Nowadays, some people looks for friendship just because of how they might look when hanging around certain people. Those friendship never last long because as said XXXTentacion, only what is real will prosper. Be open about your feelings and any challenges you face in maintaining the friendship. Talk about how often you want to connect and what each of you needs from the friendship. Also, be understanding and flexible: Understand that life can get busy, and be flexible with communication times. If communication slows down, don’t take it personally; check in and reconnect when possible.
— Make Future Plans: If possible, schedule visits to each other’s locations to create new memories together, plan trips or adventures to a third location where you can both meet. Last but not least, send random messages: Surprise each other with random messages or notes to brighten the day. Don't hesitate to drop a message whenever you they come to your mind. Share funny memes even if they don't react lol.
Is long distance friendship even worth it?
When looking at all the efforts it takes to maintain a long distance friendship, it's normal to ask ourselves if it's really worth it. From my experience, even though long distance friendship might seems more challenging to maintain, the rewards often outweigh the difficulties. If both friends are committed to making it work, these relationships can be incredibly fulfilling and meaningful. Take a look at the following reasons:
— Long distance friendship enhance cultural exchange: In fact, friends in different locations can introduce you to new cultures, ideas, and ways of thinking, broadening your worldview.
— It's a source of valuable support: Friends who understand your background and experiences can provide valuable support, even from afar. They can offer different perspectives and advice that can be beneficial in challenging times. Also, maintaining a long-distance friendship encourages personal growth. Friends can pursue their interests and experiences independently while still being supportive of each other's journeys.
— It offers great networking opportunities: Long-distance friends can help expand your social and professional networks, providing opportunities you might not encounter otherwise.
— It helps you strengthen your communication skills: Long-distance friendships often rely on meaningful communication, leading to deeper emotional connections and understanding. Managing a long-distance friendship helps you develop strong communication skills, as you learn to express your thoughts and feelings clearly.
— It helps you prioritize quality over quantity and the time spent together—whether virtual or in-person—can feel more special and intentional.
Besides that, friends who maintain their connection despite distance often develop a bond that can withstand time and challenges, leading to lasting friendships and the effort put into maintaining the friendship creates memorable experiences and shared stories that can last a lifetime. So for me it's a yes! yes! yes!
In conclusion, even if we don't deny the challenging aspect of long distance friendships, we can also say that distance is as big problem as you make it. However no matter which type of friendship, if you feel that it no longer contributes to your growth and positivity, it's perfectly acceptable to let it go as distance sometimes lets you know who is worth keeping, and who is worth letting go. Life is a journey and some people may not be destined to stay with you forever. You have limited time and limited energy, use it to focus on the relationship that truly matters to you.
To my besties from 🇨🇲 🇨🇻 🇯🇲 🇳🇬. To my friends originated from or living in 🇦🇴 🇨🇦 🇨🇳 🇨🇮 🇫🇷 🇬🇦 🇬🇼 🇩🇪 🇬🇩 🇮🇩 🇷🇺 🇸🇳 🇪🇹 🇲🇱 🇺🇿 🇬🇧 🇹🇬 🇲🇺 🇳🇪 🇿🇲 🇧🇯 🇲🇦 🇹🇩, though miles may lie between us, every moment we share, whether near or far, is a treasure. Thank you for being a constant source of support and love, no matter where life takes us. I cherish our bond and look forward to the memories we’ll create together, even from afar. Thank you also dear reader, my known and unknow friends from all over the world. Here’s to friendship that transcends distance! May God bless you. Take care.
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