Right now, it seems as though things are finally getting back to something that looks like normal after a brutally long couple of years. We are getting back to the way that we used to do things, but at the same time, we have seen some huge advances and changes that make life a little easier for us. Accessibility has taken some massive leaps forward, and for those of us who have friends in different cities, or indeed in different countries, it’s a lot easier to stay in touch than it used to be.
Of course, there is a big difference between the kind of staying in touch that translates to sending the occasional message via text wishing them a happy birthday and enjoying some quality hang-out time. The good news is that the changes that we have seen over the last couple of years have made it much easier to enjoy the kind of good times that we want to have remotely. What’s more, they have also made it a lot more cost-effective to do so. This is so important right now, as rising prices everywhere have made us all nervous about how much we are spending. Here are some of the best, and the most cost-effective ways that you can stay social with those long-distance friends.
Get Into A Routine
Let’s start by keeping things simple. One of the best ways that you can stay social is by removing the idea that you need to get in touch to discuss something important. If you are only messaging your buddies when you have a question about something, or you want to tell them about a major life event, it is going to start to feel like that is the only interaction you are having. While getting into a routine with casual messaging may feel like it is getting rid of some of the spontaneity, it will help you to get into a rhythm that is more relaxed and genuinely social.
Think About Video Calls
We know, everyone has had more than enough of video calls over the last couple of years. We have been doing them for work, we have been doing them for birthdays, and we can all agree that no one enjoys seeing themselves in that little thumbnail in the corner of the screen. But now that we are back to some semblance of normality, the video call can go back to being what it was always supposed to be: a way to bring us closer together. Written messages are fine, and voice calls are an acceptable substitute, but really there is nothing like chatting face to face with your friends. If you are feeling awkward about asking, do not be afraid to acknowledge that you know we have all been doing this too much recently!
Get Into Online Gaming
Everyone knows how much fun it is to spend some time gaming or gambling with your friends. Whether it was everyone huddled around the sofa playing video games in front of the TV or getting the gang around the kitchen table to play a marathon game of poker, this is one of the best ways to get together and enjoy yourselves as a group. And just because you may be far away from your friends, that does not mean that you need to give this up. Online gaming has come such a long way in the last few years, and there are so many different options for you to choose from. Indeed, all you really need is a console and an internet connection. And if you are a fan of pitting your wits against your friends with some gambling, then all you need is your phone and tablet and reliable signal. Online poker has been one of the most popular online games for years, with good reason. If you have never played poker before, don’t worry. PlayLive is the biggest online casino in South Africa and they have a wide range of Play Live casino guides to help you get to grips with how it all works. They can help you feel comfortable and confident.
Watch Movies Or Concerts Together
These days, most of the biggest streaming services offer an option where you can watch things with other people with a watch party. All you need to do is to set a time with your friends and make sure that everyone is ready to go at the same point. And these days, it does not have to be an old classic (although we are always going to have time for those). Some of the latest Hollywood blockbusters are hitting streaming earlier and earlier. The time of same-day releases in cinemas and VOD may have gone for the moment, but streaming services are getting more and more competitive. They know that if they can offer some of the biggest blockbusters early on their channels, then people are more likely to sign up. And it’s not just movies. More and more concerts, music festivals and events are available to stream, so if you can’t make it to the venue, you can still enjoy it from home.
Get Into Your Role-Playing Games
There has been a huge rise in the popularity of role-playing games and board games over the past couple of years, and one of the main reasons is that it gives people the opportunity to get together with their friends from a distance. You do not need to be in the same room to enjoy a game of Dungeons and Dragons, for example, which saw a massive boom in popularity in the United States and around the world. One of the major appeals of games like D&D is that you are committing the long haul, going on a quest together with your friends, and you know that you are going to see everyone again in the next session. You are just going to need to find someone to be dungeon master!
The Best Ways To Stay Social With Long Distance Friends
Right now, it seems as though things are finally getting back to something that looks like normal after a brutally long couple of years. We are getting back to the way that we used to do things, but at the same time, we have seen some huge advances and changes that make life a little easier for us. Accessibility has taken some massive leaps forward, and for those of us who have friends in different cities, or indeed in different countries, it’s a lot easier to stay in touch than it used to be.
Of course, there is a big difference between the kind of staying in touch that translates to sending the occasional message via text wishing them a happy birthday and enjoying some quality hang-out time. The good news is that the changes that we have seen over the last couple of years have made it much easier to enjoy the kind of good times that we want to have remotely. What’s more, they have also made it a lot more cost-effective to do so. This is so important right now, as rising prices everywhere have made us all nervous about how much we are spending. Here are some of the best, and the most cost-effective ways that you can stay social with those long-distance friends.
Get Into A Routine
Let’s start by keeping things simple. One of the best ways that you can stay social is by removing the idea that you need to get in touch to discuss something important. If you are only messaging your buddies when you have a question about something, or you want to tell them about a major life event, it is going to start to feel like that is the only interaction you are having. While getting into a routine with casual messaging may feel like it is getting rid of some of the spontaneity, it will help you to get into a rhythm that is more relaxed and genuinely social.
Think About Video Calls
We know, everyone has had more than enough of video calls over the last couple of years. We have been doing them for work, we have been doing them for birthdays, and we can all agree that no one enjoys seeing themselves in that little thumbnail in the corner of the screen. But now that we are back to some semblance of normality, the video call can go back to being what it was always supposed to be: a way to bring us closer together. Written messages are fine, and voice calls are an acceptable substitute, but really there is nothing like chatting face to face with your friends. If you are feeling awkward about asking, do not be afraid to acknowledge that you know we have all been doing this too much recently!
Get Into Online Gaming
Everyone knows how much fun it is to spend some time gaming or gambling with your friends. Whether it was everyone huddled around the sofa playing video games in front of the TV or getting the gang around the kitchen table to play a marathon game of poker, this is one of the best ways to get together and enjoy yourselves as a group. And just because you may be far away from your friends, that does not mean that you need to give this up. Online gaming has come such a long way in the last few years, and there are so many different options for you to choose from. Indeed, all you really need is a console and an internet connection. And if you are a fan of pitting your wits against your friends with some gambling, then all you need is your phone and tablet and reliable signal. Online poker has been one of the most popular online games for years, with good reason. If you have never played poker before, don’t worry. PlayLive is the biggest online casino in South Africa and they have a wide range of Play Live casino guides to help you get to grips with how it all works. They can help you feel comfortable and confident.
Watch Movies Or Concerts Together
These days, most of the biggest streaming services offer an option where you can watch things with other people with a watch party. All you need to do is to set a time with your friends and make sure that everyone is ready to go at the same point. And these days, it does not have to be an old classic (although we are always going to have time for those). Some of the latest Hollywood blockbusters are hitting streaming earlier and earlier. The time of same-day releases in cinemas and VOD may have gone for the moment, but streaming services are getting more and more competitive. They know that if they can offer some of the biggest blockbusters early on their channels, then people are more likely to sign up. And it’s not just movies. More and more concerts, music festivals and events are available to stream, so if you can’t make it to the venue, you can still enjoy it from home.
Get Into Your Role-Playing Games
There has been a huge rise in the popularity of role-playing games and board games over the past couple of years, and one of the main reasons is that it gives people the opportunity to get together with their friends from a distance. You do not need to be in the same room to enjoy a game of Dungeons and Dragons, for example, which saw a massive boom in popularity in the United States and around the world. One of the major appeals of games like D&D is that you are committing the long haul, going on a quest together with your friends, and you know that you are going to see everyone again in the next session. You are just going to need to find someone to be dungeon master!
