A long-distance friendship will change your relationship, but it doesn’t have to end it.
Here’s how to strengthen your bond.
A long-distance friendship will change your relationship, but it doesnt have to end it.
Its normal during this transitional period to experience challenging emotions.
So how do you maintain that know-me-better-than-I-know-myself level of connection when youre relegated to FaceTime instead of face time?
According to Dr. Patel-Dunn, it requires that both friends schedule time to connect and nurture the relationship.
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To remedy this, she suggests having a set day and time for a standing catch-up call.
Is my friend having more fun now that they moved away?
Do they miss me?
Are they making new friends faster than I am?
These are all questions that can fuel feelings of anxiety and resentment amongst friends, she says.
Long-distance friends are more likely to spend concentrated periods of time with each other, Dr. Levine says.
When you have a built-in physical distance, the boundaries are just a given.
8 ways to strengthen your long-distance friendship
1.
Be prepared for challenges
Like previously mentioned, long-distance friendships do come with challenges.
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Get-togethers can no longer be convenient; more likely, theyll need to be scheduled, says Dr. Levine.
Which may mean requesting some PTO and booking a flight.
So mentally preparing yourself for said challenges can make the transition a bit easier.
Another challenge faced by long-distance friends is the inability to rely onbody language cuesto communicate, Barth says.
Dr. Levine recommends discussing how youll keep in touch to avoid any hurt feelings or confusion.
Sharing Insta stories and double-taps will give you a more interactive way to keep up with each other.
So instead of just telling your bestie you went to yoga, share that Boomerang video of your crow-to-plank.
Some friendships thrive with very little nurturing; others take more work.
This is true whether one is in close proximity or at a distance, Barth says.
Be kind to yourself
One last reminder: Give yourself grace as you navigate a long-distance friendship.
Yes, long-distance friendships require work on both parts for maintain them, but its well worth the effort.
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