Long-Distance Friendships Require Just As Much Work As Long-Distance S.O. Relationships | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Adulting

Long-Distance Friendships Require Just As Much Work As Long-Distance S.O. Relationships

The struggle is real-it's all about balance.

32
Long-Distance Friendships Require Just As Much Work As Long-Distance S.O. Relationships
Kira Kyle Photography

Whether you were BFFs as kids going off to college in different states or besties in college graduating, long-distance friendships are pretty common. And now, technology has made staying in touch so much easier. Long gone are the days when people wrote letters to each other that took a week to arrive. We now live in the time of instant messages, texting, Snapchat, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

Since I graduated from college last year, I've experienced both long-distance relationships after high school and college. It's definitely an adjustment.

I don't know about you, but constant communication on multiple platforms stresses me out!

It's so overwhelming to see 5 Snapchats, 20 text messages, and 7 Instagram DMs from your friend. Don't get me wrong - it's super nice of them to think of you. It's also a little much to stay in such constant contact like that. Long-distance friendship is definitely different than an in-person relationship - you don't want to overwhelm or smother the other person.

Though you don't want to talk too much, you still want to make sure you talk often enough that you feel like you're still friends. For me, I like to be consistent about my time with long-distance friends. We usually plan a time to talk at least once a week whenever we can. You want to make sure you agree on how often you want to talk. If one of you feels neglected because you don't text every day but the other one doesn't want to talk as much, you'll end up being resentful towards each other and may not even be friends in a week.

One of the most important things: let them know you still care about them even if you can't express that in person.

It's so easy to slip away from friendships when you can't see each other in person all the time. One way to keep that from happening is to still show them love and care in any way you can even though you're not with them physically. At least for me, quality time shows me that my friend really cares because they take the time out of their day to be with me.

Quality is always better than quantity.

I do my best to make sure whenever I spend time with my long-distance friend that I'm not distracted by other things. I call her a lot when I'm driving in the car or going on a walk, but if I can't give her my full attention, I don't want to talk. I want to make sure I can give her quality time. That's the best thing I can do besides being in person with her.

The best advice I could give you is to make sure you're giving any long-distance friendship the quality time and love it deserves — just as much as any friendship you have in person.

Report this Content
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190747
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

15185
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

458071
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26735
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments