It’s so easy for emotions and tones to be misunderstood in text messages and emails. With a phone call, there is no mistaking how someone is feeling or what they are thinking.
A new year has begun, and it feels like we’re off to the races. Everyone is jumping on the resolutions train and plowing full steam ahead on their goals. Once again, the kids are back in school and life is going to pick up its hectic pace.
It is so easy to lose track of friends throughout the year, both online and in person. As I write this, I have a list of names running through my head that I need to get in touch with. We don’t mean to lose touch with our friends, but with our hectic lifestyles, it happens. So, how can we be more intentional this year about staying in touch and keeping our friendships strong?
Here are some easy ways to keep the ties strong, no matter what is going on in your life:
Keeping in Touch with Online Friends
1. Send a quick Facebook message
One of the easiest ways to stay in touch is to send a quick message on Facebook. A quick, “Hey, how are you?” or “How are things?” will suffice. It does not have to be a book.
This is one of the easiest and best ways I keep in touch with my online friends, ones I talk to every day.
2. Send an email
Sending an email is another quick way to keep in touch with friends. Emails are also great for lengthier messages. Usually, when I email, I may also send a text to let the person know. This way, they can keep an eye out on their inbox and it doesn’t get deleted because of a vast amount of emails coming in.
3. Post something cool and tag a friend
If you see something you like online and know your friend would like it, share it, post it, and tag a friend. This could be a quote, a funny meme, the upcoming release of a favorite artist, book, or movie, or something inspirational and encouraging. Regardless, your friend will know that you are thinking of them.
4. Be intentional
Mark it on your calendar. Take some time today and write out a list of all your online and long-distance friends you want to keep in touch with. Next, decide how you will contact them (phone, email, text, messenger), decide how often, and then add it to your online calendar with a reminder. You can even color-code your friends if you wish.
For example, I’m going to keep in touch with Candace via messenger twice a week. I’m going to keep in touch with Linda via phone every two weeks.
5. Surprise them
Surprises are always fun, so why not send your friend an e-gift card or a small present? Things like a gift card to their favorite store, a bag of their favorite coffee a gift set of different teas, a book, etc.
6. Send an e-card or a traditional card
Even though it seems a little old-fashioned, sending a card to someone is a great way to brighten their day. Why? Because it is so unexpected. One of the easiest ways to send a card is to send an e-card because they are fast and usually free. Some significant sites to find free e-cards to send include Dayspring (under the Digital Resources tab), 123Greetings, and Blue Mountain. I have used Blue Mountain and loved it. It’s only $30 a year and you can print and email greeting cards. This is so much cheaper than buying greeting cards at the store.
7. Remember special events
Don’t forget to add special events like birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions to your calendar.
8. Call them
Yes, this is a foreign concept, but call them on the phone. Sometimes there is nothing better than a good old phone conversation. It’s so easy for emotions and tones to be misunderstood in text messages and emails. With a phone call, there is no mistaking how someone is feeling or what they are thinking.
9. Pray for them
Praying for your long-distance friends is a great way to honor your relationship with them while growing closer to God. A great way to do this is to ask your friends every quarter what they need prayer for and commit to praying over the situation for the next 90 days. Then touch base again and see if things have changed or if they need continued prayer.
Once you get everyone’s responses, type out a personal prayer for each of them and put them where you will see them every day so you don’t forget to pray for them. Also, set a reminder on your calendar to follow up in 90 days so you don’t forget.
10. Pray with them
When your friend is having an issue, pray with them or for them right on the spot. If you are reading a message and they aren’t there, type a prayer out and send it. This is one of the best ways to show your friend that you care and to grow your relationship.
Keeping in Touch with In-person Friends
1. Send a quick text
Whip out your phone and send a quick text to see how your friend is doing and what is going on in their life at the moment.
2. Have a conversation
Set up a coffee date with a friend, either your house or theirs, and just sit and have a conversation. No distractions, no kids, just peace to enjoy each other’s company.
3. Go out
Plan a day to go out to eat together and then go shopping or see a movie.
4. Set up a play date
Another great way to keep in touch is to set up a play date for your kids if they get along and are close in age. While they are playing, sit down and have a chat.
5. Help each other
It always feels great to help a friend, so get together and help each other clean out a closet, organize a kitchen, or dig out your kid’s toys while they are at school. These don’t sound like the most glamorous things to do, but it will go faster with two people and who knows, you may find a treasure in each other’s stuff.
6. Have a girls’ night in
Gather a few of your friends together and have a girl’s night in. Order pizza and watch a movie. Have a potluck and binge a favorite television show. Break out the board games or do karaoke. Try to do this once or twice a month.
7. Take the dogs to the dog park
If your fur babies get along, go to the dog park with a friend. It will give the pups some time to run off their energy and you two can catch up.
8. Plan a day trip
Plan a day trip together to a shopping center, museum, or other attraction you would like to see. You can make a day of it and be back in a few hours, or you can stay overnight and come back the next day.
9. Volunteer together
If you and a friend have a common interest, volunteer together. This could be taking care of animals at the animal shelter, planning your church yard sale or bake sale, or volunteering at a children’s group home. There are all kinds of ways you can volunteer for your favorite causes.
10. Go on a double date
Go out on a double date with your friend and her husband. This is a great way to bond with each other and keep up with each other’s lives.
There are many ways we can keep in touch with our friends, both near and far. Our friends are one of the best things we have in life, so take some time to reach out and connect today.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Seventy Four
