Buzz
Even with all the digital tools available to help us stay connected, it’s surprisingly easy for friendships to slip away. Luckily, there are plenty of creative ways to stay close and involved in each other’s lives, even when you’re miles apart. Here’s a list of fun and simple ways to keep those bonds strong, no matter where you are!
The Ultimate Ways to Stay in Touch with Your Friends
- Play online games together.
- Host a virtual dinner or happy hour.
- Watch a movie together online.
- Send surprise gifts to each other.
- Start a virtual club or challenge together.
- Send a heartfelt message during a milestone or special occasion.
How to Get Started
Play games online together.
Have fun and reconnect while playing games together. Whether you prefer mobile gaming apps or classic consoles like PlayStation or Xbox, there are plenty of ways to game with friends. Many games include chat features, so you can chat while playing, catch up on each other’s lives, celebrate a victory, or laugh at a silly mistake someone made.
- Agree on a time that works for everyone and hop into the game together.
- From fast-paced shooters to laid-back puzzle games, there's something for every taste, or you can take turns choosing games to play.
Host a virtual dinner party.
Cook the same meal and gather over a video call. Pick a recipe that everyone can enjoy and prepare together. Set a time to meet virtually, cook your meals, and enjoy them together! As you cook, share stories, talk about your experiences, and reconnect with your friends over a warm meal.
Enjoy a virtual happy hour with friends.
Pick a drink and share it over a video call. Whether you choose an elaborate cocktail or simply grab a bottle of wine or beer, you can organize a virtual hangout with your friends. Pick a time that works for everyone and catch up while sipping your beverages together.
- No need for alcohol! Create a mocktail or a fun juice mix instead.
Host a virtual streaming session with friends.
Watch a movie or TV show together from a distance. Select a film or series that everyone will enjoy and set a start time to begin the viewing. You can chat while watching or use the Netflix Party browser extension to stream it together, seeing each other's faces during the movie.
- Kast is another app that lets you share your screen and enjoy movies or shows with your friends simultaneously.
Take on a shared challenge with friends.
Work together toward a shared fitness, wellness, or personal goal. Find a goal that matches yours and your friends' interests, whether it's improving fitness or reading more books. Keep each other accountable and check in to stay motivated. It's a great way to stay connected, and you can share the experience no matter the distance.
- For example, you could set a goal like walking for 30 minutes each day or doing 20 push-ups daily. After completing your part, update your friends via text or message.
- The challenge doesn't require live conversation, so friends can participate and message you on their own schedules.
Launch a virtual book club with your friends.
Use video calls to discuss a book and reconnect. Pick a book for everyone to read together, and schedule a weekly or monthly virtual “meeting” to talk about your thoughts. You can connect via Skype, Zoom, or Google Hangouts, making it fun to discuss the book while catching up on each other’s lives.
Share memes, articles, or videos with your friends.
Send something you think they'll enjoy to stay in touch. If you find a funny meme, interesting article, or cool video, share it with your friends! It’s a great way to make them smile or spark a conversation. You don’t need an excuse to send something; simply send it when you think they’ll appreciate it.
- If you and your friends are fans of The Office, send them a hilarious meme from the show.
- You can also share a news article you think they’ll find interesting.
Stay connected through social media.
Stay updated on each other’s lives and engage with your friends. Add and follow your friends on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Browse their profiles to catch up on their latest updates, and leave comments to stay in touch. You can also tag them in posts or send direct messages for more personal conversations.
- Social media offers a peek into your friend's world, allowing you to comment on their family moments or celebrate their milestones, like a job promotion.
Send a letter or postcard just for fun.
Snail mail is a thoughtful and charming way to surprise someone. Embrace the old-fashioned approach and handwrite a letter (or type it out if you prefer). Seal it in an envelope and mail it to your friend for an unexpected delight. You can also pick up a quirky postcard to send their way and brighten their day.
- If you're on a trip, grab a postcard featuring local landmarks and send it as a fun souvenir.
Send a thoughtful care package.
Brighten your friend's day with a surprise package. One of the best ways to stay connected with a long-distance friend is by knowing when they could use a pick-me-up. If your friend is going through a tough time, send them a care package filled with meaningful items. This thoughtful gesture helps you support them even when you're far away.
- Fill the package with their favorite snacks, pictures from good times together, self-care treats, or something that reminds you of them.
Meet up in person to reconnect.
Pick a new place or revisit an old favorite to spend time together. If you’re from the same area, consider organizing a get-together. You can also make plans to meet up in an exciting destination, such as a new city or the beach, and enjoy each other’s company. Try to meet up at least once a year, if possible.
- For example, you could rent rooms at a beachside hotel for a vacation or plan a trip to New York City for a fun adventure.
Establish a regular time to stay in touch.
Choose a time that suits everyone’s schedule. While it might seem easy to just reach out to friends, life often gets busy, and time flies by without realizing it. Before you know it, weeks or even months have passed without catching up! Discuss with your friends when they’re free to talk or message, and agree on a regular time to connect.
- For instance, if you’re free on Wednesday evenings and your friend is also available, you can set this as your regular time to check in with each other.
- Sometimes things pop up unexpectedly, so it’s important to remain flexible. If you can’t connect as planned, just let your friend know in advance.
Use reminders to stay in touch.
Keep track of your friends' important dates and events. A simple message can go a long way in reconnecting with a friend, especially over long distances! Mark birthdays, anniversaries, and other significant milestones on your calendar or set reminders on your phone. That way, when the day comes, you’ll be prepared to send a thoughtful message to your friend.
- The dates don’t have to be anything major! You could even set a reminder for fun events, like National Ice Cream Day if your friend loves ice cream, or a movie release date if you're excited to watch it together.
Don’t be hard on yourself if you miss a connection.
Apologize, and share what happened. It’s completely normal for things to not always go according to plan. As licensed psychologist Adam Dorsay suggests, “Don’t overthink it.” Being honest is the best approach—life happens, and sometimes you can’t control it! If your friends are true friends, they will understand. Be transparent about what’s going on. After all, they are there for you.
- That said, try not to cancel every time you make plans, as it could leave a negative impression, and you don’t want your friends to feel neglected.
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Don’t take it personally if your friends are unavailable. They might just be busy, but you can always plan to catch up another time.
