Long-Distance Relationships in Times of Digitalisation
Does the following phrase sound familiar to you? Social networks unite people from all over the world and allow the creation of friendships or long-distance relationships. That’s right, probably not.
Today everyone talks about how much social networks and digitalization in general open doors for us. Now it is easier than ever to keep in touch with old friends, have long-distance relationships or have so-called online friendships, which are created online and usually stay there. So far so good.
But, are social networks really helping us when it comes to maintaining relationships? Doesn’t it distance us more from the endless possibilities that the media offer us?
Below are a couple of helpful tips on how to really succeed in maintaining long-distance friendships and relationships through social media.
1: Clearly Define Your Long-Distance Relationships
Let’s say your best friend, partner, or sister is going halfway around the world for a semester abroad. At first, you probably won’t be too happy about this. Despite Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and FaceTime, distance is a true test for any interpersonal relationship. No app in the world can replace a hug, spontaneous encounters and joint activities, which are essential for our psyche and our togetherness. Therefore, it is very important to clarify in advance what is important to you personally.
In this way, you can organize fixed times and time intervals in which you can take time for each other. This makes sense, especially in the case of large time differences.
2: Participation in Each Other’s Daily Lives
It is important to let your loved one continue to participate in your life to the same extent as before. You should not fall into the mode of thinking that you are only allowed to share “important” and crucial things now. Because this is exactly the point where most people start to become estranged from each other. Keep sharing your feedback on the latest Bachelorette episode. Tell each other what you had for lunch and how annoying that colleague at work was. Just because one of you is in a new environment with new impressions doesn’t mean that the other’s everyday life is less interesting and worth telling. A friendship, relationship or any other kind of interpersonal relationship is based on you as individuals. You decide what you share, to what extent and at what time. Making a change here can have fatal consequences for that relationship.
3: Firm Plans for Your Long-Distance Relationships
It is important to let your loved one continue to be as involved in your life as before. You should not fall into the mindset that you are only allowed to share “important” things. Because this is the point where most people start to distance themselves. Keep sharing your comments on the latest episode of your favorite show. Tell each other what you had for lunch. How annoying that colleague was at work. The fact that one of you is in a new environment with new impressions does not mean that the daily life of the other is less interesting and worth telling about. A friendship, relationship, or any other type of interpersonal relationship is based on you as individuals. You decide what you share and when. Making a change here can have fatal consequences for that relationship.
4: Create a Routine
How about a FaceTime call every Sunday evening, just before the start of the new week? This way, you can not only talk about the past week. But also push each other for the new week ahead.
Routines give us a sense of security. This is very important in moments of anxiety and worry.
5: Embrace Your Long-Distance Relationships No Matter What!
At the end of the day, one thing can be said. Every relationship has its beautiful sides. Especially if both of you want to commit to care about that bond. This shows how strong it is.
Social media can help make it easier to keep a relationship. As long as there are clear rules on how to use it. However you need to communicate in advance how you want to proceed. Otherwise, it can have the opposite effect. With both of them getting lost in it and having contacts online and offline. The important thing is: what you put in, you get out. And, every stage comes to an end at some point!
