It is the small daily things
Big video calls are great, but they need two free evenings in two time zones. What most long-distance couples say keeps them close is smaller: knowing what the other one is doing, seeing their day, and having something to look forward to.
Habits worth trying
- Send one photo every morning, before anything else. It is the “good morning” without the typing.
- Answer one question a day each, separately, then read each other’s answer.
- Keep a countdown to the next time you meet, where you both see it.
- Share what you are doing when you are busy, so silence doesn’t read as distance.
- Do the same thing at the same time once a week: the same film, the same recipe, the same walk.
- Keep a streak of photos going, but forgive a missed day.
Know when they are free
Much of the stress in long-distance relationships is guessing: are they ignoring me, asleep, or at work? A status helps. In DuoFrame you set what you are doing, “Working”, “Sleeping”, “At the gym”, and it shows on your avatar for an hour, a few hours or the day.
Put them on your home screen
A widget with their latest photo means you see their day every time you unlock your phone, even when neither of you has time to talk. DuoFrame pairs this with a daily question, DuoShot and a countdown to when you next meet, for you and your person.