A long distance relationship, or LDR, can seem dreadful to a lot of people. In fact, it could be the cause of numerous breakups because couples simply don’t know how to handle the pressure and frustration it can cause from time to time. After two years, I can safely say I have learned how to maintain and keep sane in a LDR and I have decided to share some tips with you!
1. Communication
This is the most crucial aspect of maintaining your relationship. Being in an LDR, you don’t have the privilege of attending the same school as your significant other so the conversation could really be endless. Different clubs, different classes, different activities, maybe even different environments; keep the conversation open and flowing about all of these things! I promise when your partner knows what is going on at your campus and vice versa, it will make it seem like they are right next to you in the college journey and it will make your college experience even more fun.
2. Find a show
Finding a TV series, Netflix show, or common interest you both can share during the week makes for a fun and exciting LDR date. Many a times, American Horror Story was something I could always count on my boyfriend and I experiencing together despite the distance and it made for a good incentive to get homework done! Find something you both enjoy so, despite busy schedules, you still are able to make time for each other “face-to-face.”
3. Balance
Balance is one of the most difficult things to maintain in a LDR. For many relationships, the time you can physically spend together could be separated by weeks, months, or even years. Make sure to spend time and bond with the people who you see on a daily basis, like friends at your college, because they are the people that can get you through the tough times. You’ll miss out on a large part of your college experience if you don’t split your time accordingly and everyone knows your college years will fly by, so why wouldn’t you take the time to get to know a variety of people?
4. Stay positive
It can be challenging to stay positive in an LDR when it feels the only people surrounding you are couples. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, take that time to reflect on how much your partner means to you. Something fun and creative you could do is writing your partner a letter expressing to them how much they mean to you and then sending it off. Do anything and everything to keep positive, happy and energetic because the last thing you want is to be negative, which could ultimately ruin your relationship. Create a countdown if that will help!
5. Commitment
Being committed in an LDR is one of, if not the most important aspect of maintaining a healthy relationship. Both parties need to be willing to make sacrifices for the significant other and both must be 100% committed to that person you are in the relationship with no matter how tough things seem to get. If there is no commitment in the beginning of the LDR then the relationship is set up for failure. In order to maintain a great and healthy relationship each person must make a commitment to do whatever it takes to make the relationship the best they can for themselves and their partner.