How to Stay Connected to Friends and Family While Away
While away, it is easy to feel disconnected from your friends and family. Depending on when you choose to travel, your FOMO (fear of missing out) may be at an all-time high. Lucky for you, there are multiple ways to stay connected to those at home.
If you are traveling on a budget, then Whatsapp is perfect for you. This app allows you to text, call, and send pictures free of charge. The best part? There are no international charges. Sure, you could buy an international SIM card or spend an outrageous amount of money buying minutes from your cellphone service provider, but you will save so much money by downloading this app. Think about all the excursions you could go on with all the money you’re saving.
Facetime
When you’re feeling homesick, there’s nothing quite like being able to actually see your friends, family, and pets. You will not have trouble finding Wifi to connect to, whether that be at your hostel or the local cafe. Take this moment to call someone you love and catch up. Believe me, it’ll make you feel better.
Social Media
As we are living in a digital age, everyone is just a click away. Snapchat, Twitter, and Instagram have made it so easy for us to keep in touch no matter where we are in the world. Use these to your advantage. Post a picture of your breakfast. Snapchat a video of the street performers. Update your followers just as you would if you were at home.
Write a Blog
Writing blogs is a great way to keep your friends and family up to date on your travels while you are away! This can be super helpful for family members that aren’t on social media such as, grandparents or aunts and uncles. Not to mention, blogs can serve as an archive of data for you to look back on once you’re home. It is cool to be able to look back on what you did day to day, and how you felt in the moment.
Letter Writing/Postcards
There’s something especially meaningful about sending a handwritten letter or postcard. Although it’s not the most efficient way to communicate, it’s a sentimental way to show your loved ones that you are thinking about them. Trust me, a simple note goes a long way for those who may be missing you.
Although it is important to stay connected with the ones you love back home, don’t be so absorbed in what you’re missing out on that you forget to enjoy what you’re experiencing. Take your travels as a chance to unplug and fully experience the world around you. It’ll be over before you know it.