Hi everyone and welcome back to my blog. Since this is my first article of the year, I want to take a moment to wish you all a Happy New Year. May this new chapter bring you happiness, growth, and all the good things that journey deserves. Cheers to a great year ahead !!!
Recently I visited a place in Pétion-Ville and I met a lovely lady who worked there. During our conversation, she shared that she was from Bali, Indonesia. She was incredibly nice and friendly, and I was fascinated to learn more about her and her country. After I left, I couldn’t stop thinking about how foreigners navigate social life here, especially given the current circumstances. Imagine this for a few seconds : you find yourself in a foreign country, 11,544 miles away from home. You have no family with you, and with the airport closed, there’s no way to leave, even if you wanted to spend the holidays with loved ones. You look different from the locals, you don’t speak their language, and transportation is a challenge because there is no “Lyft” or “Uber” to rely on. If you follow a different religion, you may struggle to practice it, because the country is predominantly Christian, and many people may not even be familiar with your faith.
Her situation resonated with me and made me reflect on what so many of us are going through nowadays, how difficult it must be right now for those of you like myself, who had to be separated from their loved ones. Surviving the distance is not easy, and it takes a real toll on our mental health. The question is, how do we maintain our relationships going and stay connected despite being miles apart?
Here are a few strategies that have worked for me, and I believe can help you too.
1. Prioritize Communication : No matter how busy life gets, make time for the people who matter. Communication is key to maintaining relationships. If you want to keep a relationship alive with your loved ones, you need to communicate with them. It is not mandatory to talk everyday, but going weeks without checking in can create distance beyond just the physical one. My best friend lives in Canada, and while we don’t talk daily, if a week goes by without a conversation, I make sure to reach out, even if it’s just to say hi. Life can get hectic, but at the end of the day, relationships and friendships are what truly matter.
2. Celebrate special occasions: Spending birthdays and milestones away from family can be tough, especially if, like me, you come from a close-knit and large family. I experienced this firsthand in 2021, when I was alone in Minnesota while my family remained in Haïti. It was my first time traveling alone and it was my first birthday away from home. Although far away, my brothers made sure to celebrate with me through a video call. They even bought a cake and invited other family members. It was a moment I will never forget. Despite the distance, make an effort to celebrate every milestone with your people, send gifts, set up virtual parties, and be present through video calls. Small gestures make a big difference, your presence is important for each other. 
3. Share life updates : Staying connected is not about big conversations; it’s also about sharing the small wins and everyday moments. While being miles away, it is important to stay on top of important life changes. Whenever I make small wins in my professional, I text my people to keep them in the loop. It’s important to make each other feel involved, even from miles away. Sometimes whenever I feel like I look good, I take a selfie and send it to my brothers. I know they ask themselves what I want them to say when they see it lol, but they love me so they have to endure it.
4. Avoid negative conversations : Some of us had to be separated from their family because of work and/or school, while others have been forced apart by a series of traumatic events. One thing I have been practicing with my people is avoiding to relive the past and talk about the reasons why we had to go separate ways. Honestly, I don’t think it brings me or them any good, and I try to prioritize my peace of mind in every ways possible. Those conversations only bring sadness and sometimes anger/resentment. Instead, I focus on reminiscing about the great moments we experienced together before one of us had to move. That way we can cherish all the memories and be grateful for still being alive and well.
Miles can separate us, but memories keep us connected. -Unknown.
5. Be in touch with your emotions : Too often, we pretend to be fine and to be living our best life when we’re actually struggling. It is ok to be sad and miss home. It’s also ok in some cases to accept that some choices may not have been the best ones. Suppressing emotions does not help, it only makes things worse. You can try to stay strong but if you need to cry, do it! If you need support, seek it! Processing your emotions is essential for mental and emotional well-being.
6. Practice Gratitude : Always be thankful for the gift of life, no matter what. Yes we are not physically close as we used to be, but at least technology allows us to be present even when in different continents. The situation may not be ideal right now, but we can still hold onto hope that one day we will reunite. Appreciate the connections you have and the fact that you managed to save them, even from a distance.
As I wrap up this article, I want to send a big virtual hug to everyone missing home. I know it’s hard, and at times, things may seem uncertain. But let’s stay hopeful. I hope these tips will help you restore/maintain and strengthen your relationships, no matter where you are.
That’s all I have for today. Thank you for tuning in as usual. Until we meet again, stay safe and be blessed…always!!!