What It Takes to Stay Connected to Travel Friends 7,000km Away

I've talked about loneliness, finding friends while travelling solo and how to find social circles while travelling in past newsletters. It takes effort, to meet people, to maintain relationships, to put in the effort to see one another again when you're 7,000km away. And this applies to family, friendships, romantic connections and business acquaintances. You have to be the driver if you want relationships to flourish and develop.

1.5 years later this effort has paid off. Let me tell you the story....

October 2023 I was invited to speak at the Cross Border Coworking Conference as a digital nomad to Western Balkan representatives. I was told there was another female Canadian speaker - it seemed too good to be true already having 2 things in common. When it was the lunch break I finally got to meet her. Not only was she from Canada, she was from Western Canada and found out our home towns are about 2 hours apart from each other.

Shandi and I about to board a boat trip exploring Kotor Bay

We were in Niksic, Montenegro.

It took us both being invited as speakers across the pond to meet one another!

1.5 years later we were finally reunited last month in person in one of our favourite places - the Rocky Mountains.

Meet Shandi! An Online Personal Trainer who helps location-independent individuals improve strength and movement to feel confident.

Hiking in the Rocky mountains

Shandi and I have been talking consistently once a month connecting as solopreneurs, digital nomads, travellers and Canadians which led us to come together in person last month! Setting a date for our monthly "walk and talks" in the calendar was extremely useful to ensure we'd actually connect as international friends consistently.

I can't wait to connect with more Travel Friends around the world, including you!