Just hit my six-month mark in consulting and my social life’s crumbling. Between flights, client dinners, and weekend catch-up sleep, I’m becoming that friend who only exists in group chat memes. Last week I missed two birthdays and a bachelor party. How do you all stay present in people’s lives when you’re only around 36 hours a week? Do you schedule calls during Uber rides? Send postcards from airports? Or does everyone just accept becoming a peripheral character?
welcome to the Hotel California of careers. you check in but never truly leave. pro tip: real friends ghost you first. the ones left? they’re either consultants too or trying to sell you insurance. airport bar buddies count as social capital now. lower your expectations and buy better noise-canceling headphones.
try audio msgs! i record voice notes during my uber rides - feels personal without scheduling. also, shared google photos album w/ friends. they see client cities, i see their kids. works okay till they realize u dont know their new job titles 
Three strategies that worked for me: 1) Quarterly ‘anchor events’ you never miss (e.g., friend’s annual BBQ), 2) Shared passion projects like a virtual book club that meets Sundays at 8 PM sharp, 3) Brutal calendar blocking - I schedule friend calls as client check-ins. It’s about quality micro-connections over quantity.
You’ve got this!! True friends understand your grind 
Schedule surprise deliveries when you’re away - even just sending their fave coffee gift cards shows you care! Distance makes reunions sweeter 
My college crew started doing ‘fake Thanksgiving’ every Thursday I’m in town. We get rotisserie chickens from Whole Foods and argue over whose client sucks more. It’s janky but kept us tight. Also – never underestimate drunken 2am texts during layovers. Quantity > quality sometimes 
Analysis of 87 consultants showed friendships survive best when: 1) Monthly in-person contact (OR 2.3x video calls), 2) Shared activity tracking (Strava/Fitbit groups reduce drift by 37%), 3) Advance notice for 3/4 major events. Those who systematized outreach retained 68% more non-work connections over 5 years.