How to stay close when you live far away

When someone you love is going through a tough time and you live hundreds (or thousands) of kilometres away, it can be hard to know what to do. 

You can’t pop over for a cuppa. You can’t swing past on your way home from work. You can’t turn up on Tuesday to sit and listen. 

But living far away doesn’t mean sitting this one out. 

Here’s how you can stay connected. 

1. Find your own ways to stay close 

Staying connected doesn’t always need proximity. 

Send the meme that made you think of them. Start a shared playlist and keep adding songs. Watch the same terrible TV show and exchange running commentary. Send voice notes. Recommend books. Send photos of what your dog did this morning. 

Keep sharing the ordinary stuff. 

2. Don’t make their silence about you 

You might send a message and get nothing back. Or a heart emoji. Or a reply nine days later. 

Keep the door open. 

Try: “No need to reply. Just wanted you to know I’m thinking of you.” 

Or: “I’m going to keep sending you ridiculous things. Respond whenever you feel like it.” 

A message that doesn’t require an answer can be a lovely way to say, “I’m still here”, without adding another thing to their list. 

3. You can still be useful from far away 

Distance might change what you can do, but it doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do. 

Arrange a delivery of groceries. Research something they need. Offer to support them with admin tasks. 

If they’re using the Gather My Crew app, you can stay up to date with what’s happening and see when tasks are listed that you might be able to do remotely. 

You might live on the other side of the country, but you can still be very much part of their crew.