This article is a part of Her Campus Northwestern’s Sex and Relationships week – a week full of themed articles and content on sex, relationships and female empowerment through your body!
Let’s be real. Long distance sucks. Whether it’s your best friend, brother or boyfriend that lives across the country, world or state, long distance is hard. As the quarter comes to an end and summer is beginning, many couples will be split up for the summer. Look below for some tips and tricks to make that distance easier for you and your partner. You never know, distance might actually make the heart grow fonder!
1. Have something that belongs to your SO
Sometimes something as simple as having a sweatshirt or t-shirt from your significant other can help you feel better. Slipping on a sweatshirt that has special meaning to the both of you or even just holding something that reminds you of your partner will help you remember why you’re staying together long distance. It will also provide you some comfort when you’re feeling down.
2. Don’t stop talking but don’t talk more than you usually do. Stay consistent.
This may sound contradictory, but don’t try to make up for not seeing them every day by talking to them constantly. If your relationship means you text and talk constantly about everything, then continue to do that! But if you only check in with each other at the end of the day, then reserve a time every day to check in either over the phone or Facetime. Just because you’re not on the same campus as them, it doesn’t mean that your communication has to necessarily change. However, if you find that you miss your SO more than you thought, don’t be afraid to reach out! It’s more than likely they’re missing you too!
3. Don’t avoid talking about the hard stuff.
Honestly, relationships are not all sunshine and daisies. They’re hard and they take effort, especially long-distance relationships. So, don’t be afraid to talk to your SO about the trouble you’re having, with your relationship or other outside issues. Communication issues will ultimately make or break your relationship. And don’t constantly compare yourself to your SO when it comes to worries or problems. You are there to help and support each other, which is especially important when you are long distances away from each other.
4. Do something that will surprise your SO
In this digital age, we’ve lost some of the romance that comes with long-distance relationships. Don’t be afraid to bring that back into your relationship! Long distance equals love letters, surprise care packages and so much more! Bring out your inner romantic and surprise your SO with a hand-written letter reminding them how much you miss them and like them. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, put together a care package of some of their favorite things and include a picture of the two of you together. It will be well-received and remind you why you are staying together despite the distance.
5. Don’t listen to everyone else—do what you think works!
You’re probably reading this and thinking— “Well then why did you write this article?” Ultimately you and you alone know what is best for your relationship. If you read some of these tips and thought they wouldn’t work in your relationship, great! Don’t use them! But every relationship is different and ultimately you will have to find what works best for you long distance. It’s hard, but if it works, it will be worth it in the end.