Ah love, something we all experience or find ourselves wanting to share with a special someone. The feeling of having a person to talk to and feel comfortable being around something beautiful. However, life can throw circumstances into you and your partner’s path, testing the integrity of your beloved bond. In some cases, the ultimate test is keeping a relationship stable and safe over lengthy distances. Lovers around the world, across states and countries, do their best to keep the flame of passion burning each day, but even they struggle some days. Here are a few key factors that may seem obvious, but go a long way in keeping a long-distance relationship feeling as real as if you were together in person.
1. Communicating how you are really feeling.
In every relationship, both romantic and platonic, communication is a crucial factor in making a safe space between two people. Understanding another person’s feelings or being understood can be amazingly comforting. This is incredibly important to remember when there are miles between you and your partner. If an issue comes up or something is said that doesn’t sit well with you, talk about it with them. There is only so much text can convey to the person on the other side of the line. Be sure your communication encompasses calls, video chat, messaging, and more!
2. Making an effort to check-in, no matter how big or small
In the world we live in today, finding the time to keep a relationship going can be daunting, even more so when it’s so easy to forget to call your partner at a time that also suits their schedule. There is no doubt that there will be days where the two of you may not talk at all – and that is okay. Just be sure to shoot a message saying something simple to remind your partner that although you are both busy, you are in each other’s thoughts.
3. Get creative with date night
Obviously, a major factor left out of a long-distance relationship is being together and spending time together on dates. Even though it seems a bit silly, try making a similar dinner together or watching a movie at the same time and enjoy making side comments together. Don’t be afraid to try new things outside of the box, and enjoy making interesting experiences together.
4. Don’t over-communicate
Now, I know, earlier, I stated that keeping in contact is important since it is the only way to be with your partner. Communication is important, but you couldn’t spend every moment agonizing over a Snapchat response or text back. Don’t neglect your life and schedule to sit by the phone. Over-communication, in that way, can be toxic and detrimental to your relationship.
5. Have a goal in mind
The reality is that not everyone is cut out to be in a long-distance relationship. For some, it may seem pointless and meaningless to jump into something where you can’t be with the person you love. The important thing to remember, and the ultimate reason as to why some couples work their best to make long-distance work is because of their end goal. Do you see yourself spending a long time together despite the distance? Will there be a time in the future where you are together, and if so are you willing to work for it? These are important things that must be spoken between you and your partner, but take one step at a time. Talk to them when you are ready, but don’t be afraid to take the first step towards the topic. Make sure you and your partner have the same goal for your relationship, with the same future in mind!
Being in a long-distance relationship can be tolling and sometimes you feel disconnected from your partner. Those are the moments where reminding yourself why you fell in love with them to begin with, and why they make all the time worth it.