Long Distance Is Hard: Here's How To Make It Easier
Whether it's a career opportunity or education, sometimes life forces you and your partner apart for an extended period. Being separated can put a lot of strain on a relationship, but being patient, communicating effectively, and keeping your eye on the prize can help. It's a tough path to take, but if you make it through, your relationship will be stronger for it. Here are 20 strategies for making it work long-distance.
1. Be Honest
Honesty is the key to any healthy relationship but it's arguably even more important in a long-distance relationship. When you and your partner are in separate places, it may be harder to trust the other to be faithful.
2. Have An End-Goal
Whether one or both of you is going to relocate, make sure you're aligned on an end goal. Otherwise, it'll feel like you're stuck in long-distance limbo.
3. Do Activities Together
You can still do fun things together at a distance. Whether it's playing a virtual game, working out, or signing up for a class together, it'll help the time pass more pleasantly if you find ways to share activities.
4. Communicate Clearly
Clear communication is very important for long-distance relationships to work. If you have plans that night, make sure your partner knows so they don't feel neglected or confused about where you are and what you're up to.
5. Scheduling Call Dates
It makes your time apart a lot easier if you schedule lots of time for video calls. Just make sure to schedule it with your partner instead of just assuming they're going to be available.
6. Make Plans To See Each Other
Whether it's making travel plans together or booking a flight for one of you to visit the other, it makes the time pass by easier if you have a plan to meet up in the near future. Even if you can only get away for a short time, it gives you something to look forward to.
7. Send Each Other Gifts
Keep the spark alive by sending each other little gifts. Flowers, goodies from the grocery store, baked goods, or a bottle of wine are all excellent options. Just because your partner deserves a treat.
8. Write Love Letters
Keeping in touch is one thing. But if you want to be truly romantic, write each other love letters and poems and send them by snail mail. Go all out with rose petals and perfumed paper.
9. Have A Virtual Movie Night
Video services like Netflix and Amazon Prime offer "watch parties" which enable you to stream a movie together virtually. This allows you to have cozy "Netflix and chill" nights with your partner even at a distance.
10. Stay Positive
Long-distance relationships are challenging and it's easy to get discouraged and feel like giving up but don't let the dream go. Remember who you are as a couple and why you're doing this. Positivity is the key to success.
11. Allow Each Other Space
As tempting as it may be to spend your life talking to each other on FaceTime, it's important to give each other space. Avoid excessive communication so that you can still enjoy your life apart from each other.
12. Overexplain Things
In long-distance relationships, because you're relying on verbal cues instead of emotional subtleties, it's better to overexplain as opposed to underexplain things. Be abundantly clear with your partner and explain everything you're doing and feeling to avoid miscommunications.
13. Send Each Other Selfies
This may seem silly, but it can brighten each other's days to share cute photos of yourselves. Ask your partner what they think of your outfit or wear something a little naughty to turn the heat up and remind them what they're missing.
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14. Read Books Together
Have your own private virtual book club to read books together and discuss them. This is a great way to expand your reading list and impress each other with your intelligent takeaways.
15. Know Each Other's Schedule
It's very important to know each other's schedules so that you can plan accordingly. It might seem excessive to know exactly where your partner is at all times, but it's key to building a good foundation of trust so you can both feel secure and positive about your relationship.
16. Establish Expectations
Part of communicating is setting relationship goals that clearly outline your expectations. You don't want to be putting in all this effort for a long-distance relationship only to find out later down the road that your goals don't align.
17. Enjoy Your Time Alone
Don't forget to put your phone away and enjoy your time alone. Don't spend your days waiting around until you can see your partner again, devote time to your hobbies and interests, and continue to have fun even when your love is far away from you.
18. Spend Quality Time With Friends & Family
When you and your partner are finally physically in the same place, you might not have as much time alone to spend with your friends and family so take advantage of it while you can. It'll help you enjoy your time more.
19. Cook Together
Choose a recipe you both want to try and cook together over a video call. It'll be just like the dinner dates you have in person. You'll also get to eat the same meal and share your thoughts.
20. Make Each Other Playlists
Let your partner know you're thinking of them by making a playlist on whatever music app you both use. It can feature songs you both love and songs you want to introduce them to.
