(Not to mention how aglobal pandemicturned remote interactions into more of a norm.)
In fact, the strongest relationships are between people who are willing to put in work despite the distance.
Below, weve rounded up the best (and non-cliche) expert tips for maintaining a long-distance friendship.
Monika Jurczyk/Adobe Stock
Align on your communication habits.
There are no hard and fast rulesits all about your friendships unique vibe.
Others might benefit from the consistency of regular updates so you can feel valued.
Whether you explicitly ask, Is it okay if we check in every week?
Get creative withhowyou stay in touch.
On that note: Texts, calls, and emails arent the only ways to connect.
Be specific with your check-ins.
Hi, hows life?
is a pretty generic and impersonalconversation starterthats hard to respond to.
A more meaningful approach: Check in about something specific.
Did they recently land their dream job?
Reach out and see how its been going.
Adapt your old routines to match the new distance.
Losing those in-person moments can leave you with a sense that somethings missing.
With a bit of creativity, however, you might still capture those shared experiences from afar.
Then, after a few chapters, call each other to swap thoughts, reviews, and spoilers.
Or invent new ways to keep your relationship exciting.
Just as important as reviving familiar routines is introducing some novelty too.
If youre both obsessed withEmily in Paris, make it a joint learning opportunity to learn French with Duolingo.
you might also enlist the help of interactive apps (likeBoard Game Arena) to shake things up.
This way, youre not holding onto the pastyoure actively growing your connection with new experiences too.
Dont let them forget how much they mean to you.
Its easy to assume that your bestie knows you value them.
(You are reading this article, after all!)
This doesnt mean you have to write cliche, sappy love letters or shower them with over-the-top praise.
Youre bothchoosingto keep the connection alive, even when itd be easier to let it fade.
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