Close friends are valuable and it can take years to build strong friendships. So, hearing the news that a good friend is moving away can be upsetting, particularly if you regularly rely on them for emotional or practical support. But just because your friend is moving away, it doesn’t have to mean the end of the friendship. Here are our tips for maintaining your closeness, even if you’re many miles apart:
Make the most of social media
While there is no substitute for meeting up in real life, social media can help maintain strong friendships when you can’t get together in real life. Find the platform that works best for you and communicate regularly.
Schedule regular catch-ups
Don’t fall into the trap of saying “We must meet up sometime”. Instead, get out your diary and put in firm dates for the rest of the year.
Don’t take it personally
It’s natural to feel abandoned when a friend moves away and can leave you wondering whether they might have stayed around if you’d been a better friend. But remember, no matter how strong your friendship, it was just one part of their life. There is likely to be a whole host of other factors that influenced their decision to move away so don’t feel that you’re to blame.
Provide support
Moving home is a stressful time and it’s likely that your friend will need support as they make the transition to a place. Offer emotional support and it will help strengthen your friendship for the future.
Build your friendship circle
When a good friend moves away, it’s the perfect time to look for new opportunities to build your own friendship group. Focus on other relationships or join a group to find new friends.