I’ll be honest, I’ve never been much of a social bunny. I’ve always struggled to make new connections and this is something that I’m working on (through necessity) since my relocation. I’ll write a blog about this soon. Leaving behind the few friends I’ve got has been difficult and it got me thinking about how I could be creative in keeping in touch with them now they’re so far away…that isn’t just typing a message on social media (though social media does come into this). Here then are ten suggestions on fun ways of keeping in contact at a distance. Now I just need to put them into action!!
Virtual Game Nights: This is a fun way to stay connected and engage in friendly competition with your long-distance friends and relatives. You can use platforms like Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet to host the game night and choose games that everyone can play together. Some popular options include Jackbox Games, Among Us, and Codenames.
Video Messages: Sending video messages is a personal and heartfelt way to stay in touch with your long-distance friends and relatives. You can use apps like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or Snapchat to record and send videos.
Social Media: Social media is a great way to stay updated on your friends' and relatives' lives, especially if they live far away. You can share updates about your life, send messages, and react to each other's posts. You could even start a private (invite only) group.
Virtual Book Club: Starting a virtual book club is a great way to stay connected and share your love of reading with your long-distance friends and relatives. You can choose a book to read together and schedule regular video calls to discuss your thoughts on the book.
Care Packages: Sending care packages is a thoughtful way to show your long-distance friends and relatives that you care. You can include items like their favourite snacks, small gifts, or handmade items.
Virtual Tours: Taking your long-distance friends and relatives on virtual tours of your city or town is a great way to show them where you live and what you love about it. You can use apps like Google Maps or Google Street View to explore together.
Online Classes: Taking online classes together is a fun way to learn something new and stay connected at the same time. You can choose a topic that interests you both and sign up for a class together.
Virtual Movie Nights: Setting up a virtual movie night is a great way to watch movies together and share your reactions. You can use services like Netflix Party or Amazon Prime Video Watch Party to synchronise your viewing and chat during the movie.
Video Conferencing: Scheduling regular video calls is a simple but effective way to stay in touch with your long-distance friends and relatives. You can catch up on each other's lives, share stories and photos, and offer support and encouragement. Skype, Zoom, Messenger, and teams are just some of the methods you can use to “conference call”.
Collaborative Projects: Working on collaborative projects is a creative way to stay connected and share your passions with your long-distance friends and relatives. You can choose a project that interests you both and share your progress over video calls.
There are many ways you can keep in contact, and maybe you're happy just dropping an occasional message to someone, which is great, but perhaps one of the suggestions above will inspire you to try something different...or maybe you'll come up with your own.