Being in a long distance relationship presents a challenge to any couple, but if it is what you want then you can make it work. Maybe it isn’t a walk in the park, but a long distance relationship can still make you feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Here are some ways to make sure you and your guy survive the distance:
- Communicate.
You can’t be afraid to talk to him about anything and everything. Maybe you’ve been told to not tell a guy if you are bothered or upset, but in a long distance relationship, that isn’t going to do you any good. He isn’t a mind reader, and he may never ask you what’s bothering you, so it’s up to you to tell him. You obviously have enough faith in your relationship to be together in the first place, so have faith that he will listen. Talking is a good thing.
- Trust.
Trust him, and trust yourself. If you don’t trust him, you are going to drive yourself crazy. Whether it’s the friend you find out is a girl and not actually a guy, or the parties he goes to every weekend, you have to trust that he will respect your relationship. You aren’t there to claim what is yours and keep the girls from fawning, but remember that he chose you. So, whenever you feel your confidence quavering, trust that no matter if you are there or not, he would choose you every time. You’re the one he wants.
- Skype and Facetime.
If this isn’t already the case, technology is your new best friend. Regardless of how much you text, seeing his face and hearing his voice is much better than getting a text. Some people are afraid it’ll make the missing and the longing worse, but when you are hundreds of miles away, seeing their face doesn’t make them seem so far. Seeing a smile or getting blown a kiss just doesn’t compare to an emoji.
- Keep a journal.
This may not be for everyone, but it’s amazing what a few minutes out of your day can do. Whether it’s in a cute journal you found and had to have or it’s on your computer, take some time out of your day to write down how you feel. Maybe you write down the things you aren’t ready to tell him yet, your moments of weakness, or just how crazy you are about him. Then, when you are having a hard day and you feel every mile that separates you, you can read it and remember why you made the commitment.
- Focus on the good.
Don’t think about the time you aren’t together, but rather the time you do have together. There is no need to torture yourself with the thought of what you may be missing, or that the time you have apart is greater than the time you have together. This is when you need to think about all the times he made you smile, and how happy he makes you. The good is what is going to get you through this. This is when you should be thinking about why you said yes, and why you chose him over anyone else.
- Don’t sweat the little things.
It’s easy to get mad about the little things: the response that comes four hours late, the unsavory response, or whatever it may be. It’s important to remember we are girls and we are sensitive, so chances are, he didn’t do it on purpose. If anything, he thinks he did nothing wrong, which hey, that may be true. So, when you feel your blood start to boil, just take a second to ask yourself if it is really worth getting mad about. Pick your battles ladies.
- Believe in your choice.
In my opinion, this is the most important of them all. You need to believe in the decision you made to be in a long distance relationship. People are going to tell you that you’re crazy, or ask you why, and you may feel the judgment in their voice. This is when you take the advice that gets thrown around like it’s easy, even though it’s not: don’t care what other people think. You and him are all that matter. Maybe he isn’t forever, but you shouldn’t feel guilty for making the choice to find out. You can overcome distance. And, for all you know, maybe he will be forever.