How to Make a Long-Distance Relationship Work
Can long distance relationships work? Is it possible to overcome the strain in communication that often comes as a package deal? The short answer to both questions is yes. With the following tips, you can make a long-distance relationship work, and turn an otherwise unpleasant relationship into a fantastic love affair.
- Set ground rules: Long distance relationships are plagued with the same problems that couples who live around each other face. However, these problems are further fueled by the distance between lovers. Expectations are examples of these problems. Everyone who goes into a relationship has certain expectations about it. Clarifying these expectations can improve the chances of a successful long-distance relationship. If your idea of a successful long-distance relationship is daily calls, you need to let your partner know.
- Spend time with each other: Sometimes, what makes long-distance relationships so tricky is that there’s barely enough time to see each other. You can sidestep this common problem by taking out time to visit your partner. Both of you will cherish the time you spend together and strengthen your relationship in the process.
- Trust: The most crucial factor in a relationship is trust, and it goes both ways—you letting yourself trust your partner, and earning your partner’s trust in return. Long-distance relationships amplify this requirement because trust is all you have to go on. Short of stalking your significant other, there’s no way for you to confirm their faithfulness. You’ll just have to trust.
- Communicate: Because you barely have enough time to see each other in long-distance relationships, you can barely talk to each other. Thankfully, technology has made communication so much easier, making it easier to keep each other updated on the things happening in your lives. It’s a great opportunity to air out concerns you might have about the relationship, as well as share the deep and emotional things you can only share with your significant other.
- Don’t overcommunicate: While it may seem like a good idea to tell each other absolutely everything going on in your lives, we should pump the brakes every once in a while. You don’t want to overwhelm your partner with every detail of your day.
- Share schedules: Sharing your schedules with each other can help you understand how best to reach your partner. You don’t want to give him a surprise visit, and find out that he’s swamped and can’t get out of work. You also don’t want to call when she’s sleeping.
- Give gifts: Just because you’re not around each other doesn’t mean you can’t give each other gifts. Surprise your partner by sending a gift in the mail.
- Don’t put your life on hold: You should be careful not to channel all of your energy into maintaining your long-distance relationship. Try to live each day to the fullest and enjoy your life.
- Prepare for the boring details: Most of our days are filled with boring and mundane things. If you want to communicate properly, you’ll invariably have to discuss them with your partner. Instead of seeing the boring details, try to put a positive spin on them and enjoy every bit.
- Stay faithful: Sometimes, long-distance relationships get tiresome because our minds have moved on to other things or other people. If you start spending huge chunks of time with someone else, your long-distance relationship is bound to lose momentum. It’s a good idea to stay away from parties. On the other hand, if you’re single, dating websites are a great way to meet new people and spark a romance.
Long-distance relationships can be very difficult to manage. However, if done successfully, they can be very rewarding and help to strengthen the bond between the two of you.
