Long-distance relationships (LD) can often be draining as it’s really difficult to keep up with a lover who is far away.
While social media and video call sessions have made things a lot easier, relationships tend to be easier when you can interact with your partner physically.
So we’ve put together a few tips to help you get through long-distance relationships:
1. Be ready to work harder than you did before
Maintaining healthy regular relationships require a lot of work but LD requires two times more. As your partner won’t be present in your daily activities and decision making, you will need to be as open and honest as you can. The aim should be working towards a solid and sustainable base, so it’s important to figure out how best you can communicate effectively with each other.
2. Make some ground rules
You both need to be clear on the ground rules of the relationship, what’s allowed? What does infidelity entail? Are you allowed to go on dates? You also need to have something to look forward to when you’re apart. For some couples who are stable financially, they can set a rule like seeing each other every six weeks and deciding to take turns to visit. Don’t forget to celebrate everything! This is an opportunity to remember each other’s milestones and find a way to congratulate each other on meaningful achievements.
3. Communicate regularly and creatively
If you’re up first, it’s always a good idea to say “good morning”. You need to also to find creative ways to communicate like sending short videos of interesting or funny things going on throughout the day, you shouldn’t spend 12 hours communicating but one phone call might not be enough to talk about everything and has the tendency to feel less natural than random updates. Skype or FaceTime dates are essential! It’s one thing talking on the phone, but seeing your partner can bring back feelings of warmth and familiarity, it keeps the love going stronger.
4. Find a virtual way to do things together
This might seem impossible but there are lots of things you can do without physically being together. You can watch movies or documentaries at the same time, or take a video call walk together. You can also play drinking games together on the video call or do some online shopping (for some spontaneous gifts). Whatever it is, the most important thing is that you’re doing it together. Virtual presence is everything; use it as creatively as possible.
5. Think of the bigger picture and stay positive
Things are hard enough in life so it’s vital to stay positive. You should both work towards the moment you finally get to be together. When things get lonely, you should be able to communicate your love and affection somehow, even if it means sending postcards or handwritten letters across the world. Cut up some pictures; add some stickers or notes if you can. If you’re constantly thinking about the negative aspects of your LD relationship, you have fewer chances of getting through it.
