HOW TO KEEP YOUR ‘LD’ FRIENDS CLOSE
(friendship style)
LDR (Long Distance Relationship) doesn’t just refer exclusively to the romantic kind of relationships; apart from families, even friends are experiencing the same setup for different reasons like career or academic pursuits which they’re seeking in a different place. That’s probably happening more now especially since the start of the school year is so near.
Though we wish for everything to stay the same, change comes for us all. But before uttering the proverbial phrase “It’s the end of an era,” don’t think for a second that your friendship is doomed (but it will be if you let it). Here are a few ways or reminders to keep the friendship intact with your best friend or best buds despite the distance.
Communication is key
If you have those kinds of friendships wherein you don’t talk often but when you do it’s like no time had gone by, then good for you—but this one is built by a foundation so strong it’s not even penetrable by gossip or cute boys with cute dimples (or girls with cute dimples). How was it built in the first place? Through communication and transparency. No one is saying that you’re required to spill your guts on a daily basis, but no one wants to walk away from a conversation with just the response “I’m fine.” So when you’re audio or video chatting with your “bestie,” fill them in with the details of your life like how you used to. They only become strangers if you let them.
Plot your schedules
Whether your schedules are crazy or the time difference is the reason, find a way around the obstacles and make it work. Conversations do not need to last for an hour or two (depending on how often you guys talk in a month or so) but there should be consistency. Friendships are very much like romantic relationships without the kisses and icky stuff—they too require your undivided attention. Don’t look at stuff on the internet while you’re in a deep conversation. Uncool.
Let them know that you’re thinking about them
Apart from talking to them, you can do a lot of things like send them a care package for instance. Also, with the benefit of social media, apparently tagging your friends in weird, funny or cute videos or mentioning their names in the comments section of some ridiculous yet relatable memes is another way to express that they’re always on your mind. So why not, right? You can both laugh about this and it’s a small gesture that doesn’t require a lot of effort and money (except cellular data but still) so thank you, internet! Also, these days it’s considered bad etiquette if you’re tagging someone else but your best friend who knows all the skeletons in your closet (seriously, why would you even do that!?).
Try to see and visit each other
You get to check out your friend’s new environment, meet his newfound friends—overall knowing your friend in this state of his life. If time and money permits, do it as often as you can. Apart from that, the idea of planning a vacation sounds like another option to make memories.