How To Stay Connected To Loved Ones While Traveling
22 Sep 2021
Image by Anastasia Gepp from Pixabay
Travelling comes with many great benefits. We get to meet new people, familiarize ourselves with different cultures, and see some breathtaking sights. However, we are not always able to travel with the people closest to us. If you’re missing your loved ones while on the road, here are some of the best ways how you can stay connected. Take a look.
Keep up using texts
The simplest way to keep up with your friends and family that are in a different place is surely by sending them a text. A simple good morning or good night text will not take a lot of time out of your busy schedule but will help you feel closer to those back home. Keep them updated on what you are doing by sending them an occasional text with a bit more details. Moreover, you can also create a group chat where you can send the same message to multiple people so that no one feels neglected.
Use apps to share all sorts of content
If you have mobile data or access to Wi-Fi, you should also make the most of all the messaging apps out there. From Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp to Skype, Viber, and Telegram, the options truly abound. In addition to sending texts, you can use these apps for sending all sorts of different content as well, such as photos, videos, and even voice messages. Just remember to let everyone know which apps you prefer so that you can communicate easily.
Get a local SIM card
While keeping up with texts and photos can be good for a while, sometimes you just need to hear your loved ones’ voices. To avoid huge bills, you should look into getting a local SIM card. There are various kinds out there and it depends on where you are travelling to, of course, but these are great when you want to save some money and talk to your family and friends. Some offer mobile data that you can use to make a video call and others offer minutes that you can use for a regular call.
Schedule video calls
With such a wide variety of apps, it’s only normal that many offer the option of video calls. So, whether you opt for Skype or FaceTime, remember to find a Wi-Fi network that will ensure you’re not faced with a huge bill. Although you might not always know when such a thing will be available, especially if you go on a road trip by yourself, do your best to come up with some sort of schedule so that your loved ones know when they can expect a call from you.
Send out postcards
One classic way to keep your loved ones posted about your adventures is by sending them postcards. Fortunately, interesting postcards are still available in most places and sending them is not expensive at all. Find those that really show off the place you are visiting and remember to include a thoughtful message to the people dear to you. Rest assured that those on the receiving end will cherish and collect every single postcard you send.
Surprise them with gifts
In addition to postcards, you can surprise your loved ones with other kinds of gifts as well. For example, you can find interesting things at the location you are visiting and send them to the people you care about. If you plan on travelling for a long time, sending gifts right away means that they will not have to wait for ages to see what you got for them and you will not have to carry numerous presents around. On the other hand, you can also find gift baskets online, |customize them for each person you love and have them delivered to their doorstep. From pampering gifts to all sorts of delicious treats, options abound.
Start a book club
Another interesting way how you can keep in touch is by starting a remote book club. If you have time to read a book per week, you can set up weekly virtual gatherings where you will discuss the books, what you liked, and what you disliked. Alternatively, you can also do it once a month if that suits you better. Whether you do this with your friends or family, it’s a great way to connect and perhaps even discover new authors and genres.
Have a virtual game night
Perhaps games are more your speed. In that case, it’s also easy to organize virtual game nights. Nowadays, plenty of traditional board games are available online so you can give them a go. Then, there are various multiplayer online games you can try as well. From first-person shooters to racing games, options truly abound. When doing this, remember to ensure you have a quality internet connection so that you can keep up with the game.
Watch your favourite show together
Just like you can play games together or read the same books, you can also watch the same show or movie. No matter if you choose to binge whole seasons at once or watch an episode at a time, there are useful apps that can help you watch shows with your loved ones. For instance, look into Netflix Party, which makes it easy to stream programs with people in different time zones. Even if you don’t want such a service, you can simply play a movie at the same time and chat over a video call.
Make a collaborative playlist
Lastly, you should also consider making a collaborative playlist on Spotify. This streaming service allows users to create a playlist that multiple people can add songs to. That way, no matter where you are, there is a chance you are listening to the same songs as those you love. Moreover, when you hear that one song that you didn’t add but is a favourite of a person you care deeply about, there is no way you will not think of them and feel happy.
If you’re often on the road, you might not get a chance to spend plenty of time with your loved ones. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t still be connected to one another by relying on these ways.
Jasmine Anderson
Jasmine Anderson is a Sydney based lifestyle blogger and a toddler mom, with a Fine Arts Bachelor’s degree. Expressing herself through different mediums is what keeps her spirit bright. She loves to spend quality time with her family, go thrifting, and spend just a little bit too much time on the internet.
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