🪺 Glimmer Nest: Bridges Across Distance
Finding Connection When Life Keeps Us Apart
There's a moment in Carole King's "So Far Away" that has always resonated deeply with me: that aching feeling when physical distance separates us from those we love. "Place and time always on my mind. I have so much to say but you're so far away," she sings, capturing that universal longing to bridge the space between hearts.
As I reflect on this, I'm reminded of a friendship that taught me the true meaning of connection across distance—a bond maintained through innovative technology during some challenging times. For some of our relationships the distance is geographical and others it's logistical. For example, I feel confident that given my current full-time work and caregiver plate, even if some of my friends were geographically closer I would likely see them in person as little as I do right now. Being creative and allowing some experimentation is so freeing.
The Light That Connected Us
During the isolating days of Covid, a dear friend of mine, Allison, was frequently hospitalized. Since she was a toddler, she had been in and out of hospitals with the most severe form of spinal muscular atrophy. During the pandemic she was at very high risk. In-person visits became impossible, yet our need for connection grew even stronger. That's when I learned about CaringBand—a simple yet profound invention that would become our lifeline.
CaringBand was a platform consisting of a bracelet and an app designed specifically for people like my Allison—individuals facing health challenges who needed tangible reminders that they weren't alone. The concept was beautifully simple: loved ones could send messages through the app that would light up the bracelet and provide a gentle pulse on the wearer's wrist. We were lucky enough to be beta testers.
Each time her loved ones sent a message, a soft light would illuminate on her wrist—a silent "I'm thinking of you" when words couldn't reach her. When she was able to communicate, she shared how much those little pulses meant—how they pierced through the sterile hospital environment and reminded her of the world outside waiting for her return.
Though CaringBand's journey was brief (the Kickstarter ultimately didn't allow it to take root in the market), the impact it had on our friendship was immeasurable. It taught me something profound: sometimes the smallest gestures—a light, a pulse, a moment of acknowledgment—can create the strongest connections.
Creating Our Own Bridges
We all possess the creativity to build our own bridges across distance. For those of us with complicated circumstances, we understand better than most how isolation can creep in, even when we're surrounded by the people we love most.
This brings me to another connection method that has brought immense joy to my life—the "Pretend Podcast" approach.
The Joy of Pretend Podcasting
Taylor Harrington, a whip-smart community professional, posted about this on LinkedIn and my imagination took flight. A few years ago she and her college friends created a "private podcast" that exists solely within their group chat. Every couple of weeks they would each record an "episode" sharing stories from their lives. They never publish them—they simply live in their conversations, creating an audio journal of their evolving friendships.
🎧Here's how it works:
1. Choose a few friends to create your pretend podcast with (it works with just one friend too! That's how I do it!)
2. Decide on a platform (I've enjoyed using LinkedIn messages and iMessage)
3. Create a catchy intro that everyone uses: "Hey, this is your host…"
4. End with a consistent outro: "Thanks for tuning into another episode of…"
What makes this approach special is how it transforms everyday updates into something more intentional. Unlike hurried text exchanges or scheduled video calls that might feel like another obligation, these voice memos allow for deeper sharing at each person's convenience.
Some episodes might be filled with laughter and lighthearted stories; others vulnerable moments. Together, they create a strong thread of connection that transcends physical distance.
Quite frankly, it's also made me nostalgic for the type of audio cassette letter sharing Keri Russell did as Felicity. This asynchronous ability takes the pressure off. I no longer feel as hurried with this kind of connection. I do it when I can. Sometimes I do it when I'm getting ready for my day ahead, sometimes when I have insomnia it’s also a great way to decompress. I plop down my phone nearby and hit record. I do this with two friends separately… one is in Texas, the other in Canada. I feel much more connected than I ever have. Thanks Taylor! Let me know if you try this!
The Threads That Hold Us Together
As I navigate my dual roles as a FT WFH professional and mother to a child with special needs, I've come to recognize that connection doesn't always require grand gestures or physical presence. Sometimes, it's found in the small threads that we intentionally weave between our separate lives.
These threads might look different for each of us. There are so many other micro-connection methods that sustain us:
- 💬The Meme & GIF Exchange – A well-timed meme, GIF, or inside joke shows you're thinking of each other without needing a full conversation. It's like saying, "Hey, I see you" without requiring anything in return.
- ✨The 'This Made Me Think of You' Ping – A song, a quote, a random product while on errands, or a funny memory that pops up and you just send it their way. No context needed.
- 🛌🏼The Middle-of-the-Night Message – Life doesn't run on a 9-5 schedule. Knowing you can drop a thought at 3 a.m. and they'll get to it when they can—without expectation—feels safe and sustaining. Just make sure you’re in agreement!
- 🤗The "No Need to Reply" Update – Sometimes you just need to share. A quick life update with a "no pressure to respond" takes the weight off but keeps the thread of connection alive.
- 🎶Shared Playlists, Book Recs, or Podcast Swaps – A running thread of "you'd love this" keeps the friendship growing even when you can't meet up.
-☕ The Digital Cheers – Instead of happy hour, a quick selfie with "cheers, miss you" over coffee, tea, or whatever you're drinking at home keeps the spirit of shared moments alive.
- 🫶🏼The 'We Don't Have to Catch Up' Comfort – No guilt about not talking every day or even every month, because when you do connect, it's like no time has passed. That understanding is everything.
- 📺The Shared Experience Without Words – Watching the same show, following the same ridiculous drama online, or just knowing you're both awake at weird hours creates an unspoken togetherness.
These little touches may not look like traditional friendship hangouts, but they're just as real, just as meaningful, and often even more sustainable for the life stage you're in.
Finding Your Connection Language
We each navigate unique circumstances that can sometimes leave us feeling isolated. Discover the creative ways you can maintain meaningful connections despite the constraints of time, distance, and responsibility.
I invite you to consider: What is your connection language? How do you reach across the spaces between to let others know they're seen and valued?
Perhaps it's through songs that say what you cannot.
Perhaps it's through technology that transforms your thoughts into tangible reminders.
Perhaps it's through your voice, sharing stories that might otherwise go untold.
Whatever form it takes, these bridges we build are not just nice-to-have supplements to our relationships—for some of us balancing careers with the care of high-needs children, they are essential lifelines that remind us we're not alone on this journey. So many of us have obstacles we hide from the world and if we still want connection we can become empowered by tapping into a little creativity.
👐🏼Your Turn to Share
Have you discovered unique ways to maintain connections across distance (physical or logistical)? What creative approaches have helped you feel seen and understood, even when life keeps you apart from your support network?
Sending hugs,
*In loving memory of my friend Allison.*
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