How to Keep In Touch with Long distance Friends/Partners

Hello all! I'm Kelsie and these are my thoughts.

So, you've made a new online acquaintance. Job well done! But now you're probably wondering: "How can I keep this new found acquaintance of mine?" Well my friend, you've clicked on the right blog post! Here are eight tips to keep in touch with your online friends/partner. 

WARNING: THIS IS JUST BASED ON MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE! IF YOU HAVE OTHER ADVICE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS SECTION.

 

1. Make sure you have all of their social media handles. Chat as long as you can until either you have to do something of relative importance, one of your phones (or other electronic device) is about or die and/or you 100% HAVE to hit the sack.
2. If you're one of the lucky individuals who happen to be friends with/ the partner of a YouTuber, watch a playlist of your favorite videos by them on loop.
3. Make sure you have a clock app that tells you what time it is where they live to avoid accidental late night chat sessions and tell them to follow suit. 
4. If you can, ask them when you guys can meet up in person. If its someone that you've never met before, maybe set up a Skype call first so you can see what they look like. If they refuse, either they're extremely shy, skeptical about you being who you say you are or you're getting catfished (and I ain't talking about the actual catfish.)
5. If they say yes, set up a date that works for both of you and begin the countdown until you finally get to interact with them IRL. If not, give it a little more time and try again.
6. Once you do meet up, try to stay as calm as possible so as not to drive them away. Also, stay alert. I know that meeting your online friends/partner can be an exciting experience but still keep your guard up. You never know who could be out to catfish you.
7. Maybe try winning the lottery/inheriting a bunch of money so you can move to where they live and y'all won't have be apart ever again (only somewhat joking here.)
8. If you can, try to avoid checking their Instagram/Facebook to see what they've been doing while you're sitting at home currently unemployed.

Being a socially uncomfortable individual sucks. But if you followed me online, you'd think I was a social butterfly. At the end of the day, while I don't mind IRL interaction, I much prefer the safety of my computer screen and the relative anonymity I have. Sure, I'm not one of those people who spews out their opinion without regard for others feelings (in fact quite the opposite as I'll explain in another post) but at the same time, most people who talk shit online probably don't have the balls to say it to your face. Online friends and relationships can be wonderful. Just stay alert and be careful. If things are either moving way too fast or ain't quite smelling right, abandon ship. If the other person respects you, they'll understand. If not, block them and contact the appropriate authority figures STAT! 

Anyway, thanks for reading! More thoughts coming soon!