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Leverage social media -

For all its downsides, social media can be a great way to keep in touch with people. Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms can all help you nurture your long-distance friendships.

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Leverage social media -

For example, why not join a Facebook group with all your high school friends? Or share a photo with a friend whenever it pops up on Facebook as a memory?

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Communicate outside of social media -

In the digital age, it’s easy to forget there are ways to communicate that do not involve social media. Getting back to pen and paper is massively underrated.

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Communicate outside of social media -

Why not send your friend a handwritten birthday card this year? Or even a postcard when you go on vacation? The extra effort involved shows that you care, and it will be appreciated.

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Keep each other posted -

Keeping up to date with each other’s lives can be difficult in a long-distance friendship, particularly if your life is so busy that scheduling regular catchups is impossible.

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Keep each other posted -

If this sounds like you, why not have a WhatsApp group that people can swap messages on? That way there is no pressure to meet at a certain time, but everyone stays in the loop.

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Recommend favorites -

Sharing funny, entertaining, shocking, or even sad content with your long-distance friends can be a great way to stay connected. This is easier than ever thanks to social media.

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Recommend favorites -

You might want to send a new favorite book to your friend so they can read and discuss, or it might just be a YouTube video that you came across and found interesting.

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'Sit down' together -

If you can, it’s a good idea to 'sit down' with your long-distance friends on a regular basis. A virtual coffee or cocktail goes a long way to maintaining a relationship.

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'Sit down' together -

Although it's not quite the same as doing these things in person, meeting over Skype or Zoom will allow you to see your friend and feel more connected to them.

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Lean on each other -

One of the most important aspects to a friendship is being able to rely on each other during hard times. It is possible and actually necessary to do this, even if you’re long distance.

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Lean on each other -

If you’re going through something tough, don’t be afraid to reach out to your friend and lean on them for support. It will help you feel better and keep your friendship strong.

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Meet in person -

You may live hundreds (or thousands) of miles apart, in which case this is difficult, but it’s a good idea to meet up in person from time to time if possible.

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Meet in person -

Even if it’s just once a year, a face-to-face meeting will help you feel connected. You will be left feeling secure and happy in your friendship once you meet up and pick up just where you left off.

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Stick to a schedule -

Everyone has busy lives and it can be difficult to find time for a Zoom or Skype catchup with your long-distance friends. For some people, it helps to stick to a schedule.

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Stick to a schedule -

If you can commit to carving out half an hour each week to catch up with your friends and stick to it, you will be glad you made the effort.

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Plan a getaway -

If possible, it’s a good idea to plan a trip away with your long-distance friends. Getting together and doing something fun is a great way to maintain the relationship.

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Plan a getaway -

Some people like to commit to this even more and make it an annual event. This requires a fair amount of effort, especially if there’s a big group, but it’s well worth it.

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Invest in each other -

It's important to recognize that long-distance friendships require an investment of time, effort, and, in most cases, money. Only once you recognize this will you make it work.

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Invest in each other -

In order to stay close to your long-distance friends, you’ll need to set aside time to talk to them and pay to visit them. It may seem like a lot, but in most cases it’s 100% worth it.

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Talk about them -

It can be easy, particularly if you were the one who moved away, to talk too much about yourself when chatting to your long-distance friend. This can be damaging to your friendship.

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Talk about them -

If you’re living a new life in a new country, you will of course have lots to say. Don’t forget, however, to ask your friend about themselves and listen properly to what they say.

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Surprise them -

When it comes to long-distance friendships, a little surprise goes a long way. It doesn't have to be anything expensive, either—even the smallest of gifts will show your friend you care.

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Surprise them -

Next time they have a birthday or something major happens in their life, why not send a little gift? Or even better, why not send a little something just to say thanks for being your friend?

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Share everything -

Social media makes it very easy for us to think that everyone’s lives are filled with good moments only and that nothing bad ever happens to anyone else.

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Share everything -

Of course, the opposite is true: we all have struggles, some of us many. Remembering to share both the good and the bad is important to maintaining a long-distance friendship.

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Know when to let go -

Sometimes friendships are just not built to survive the distance, no matter how hard we try. There are certain things to look out for that might help you decide to move on.

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Know when to let go -

If you start to notice that you and your friend fight more often, things have become awkward between you, or you no longer want to share anything, it may be time to let go.

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Know when to let go -

Other signs might include your thinking that their behavior is toxic or that they no longer care. There may be too many missed calls and texts.

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All in all -

So there you have it, some tips to help you keep those long-distance friendships strong. They can be hugely rewarding, so why not put in the effort?

Sources: (Thrive Global) (Kerb)

See also: Men's emotional needs in a relationship (and how to meet them)

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