Let’s face it: long-distance relationships are hard. They can be lonely, frustrating, and tiring but they can work.
This article will help you break down how to make a long-distance relationship work for you.
Long-Distance Relationship Tips
No matter how much you love each other, there may be times you wonder if that’s enough to overcome the distance between you. So, if you’re needing some tips on how to maintain your long-distance relationship, try these:
Commit to the Relationship
First and foremost, make sure you are both on the same page about the relationship—you are both willing to work on the connection and put in the effort. There may be times when one person gets distracted by work, friends, or other commitments. Make sure you are both being transparent with one another, and this period doesn’t become a habit.
This is where managing your expectations is important. Set realistic expectations for one another and respect your partner’s schedule.
Engage in Intimacy
Keep the intimacy flowing between you by engaging in phone sex, flirty messages, and using sex toys over the phone. You could also share an intimate bath over FaceTime or exchange photos for one another to keep the fire burning.
Create a Schedule
If you are dealing with an inconvenient time difference, then having a schedule becomes particularly important. Set aside a consistent time each day or few days to have a conversation over the phone or FaceTime or engage in an activity together such as watching the same T.V. show or movie.
Make Plans to See Each Other
In-person plans can inject some of the excitement back into the relationship and give you both something to look forward to. If it’s convenient, try to take it in turns to visit each other or meet somewhere in the middle where you both have enough time to devote to spending together physically.
Have a Long-Term Goal to Be Together
A lot of long-distance relationships run more smoothly when the commitment strengthens, and you discuss an end date to the distance. Either one of you has a plan to move to the other or move closer to the other or you both have a goal of moving somewhere else entirely, adding a time frame to this can give you both something to work on and look forward to.
Do Activities Together in Separation
Make sure you are having fun with one another even when you are not physically together. Set aside some time to watch your fav T.V. shows together or you could FaceTime each other and play video or board games. You could also consider trying new things such as learning a language together and practicing over the phone. This can help keep the spirit alive.
Sweet Things to Do in a Long-Distance Relationship
Just because you are apart doesn’t mean you can’t be romantic. Show your appreciation for one another and consider the following:
- Send good morning texts to one another
- Plan a virtual date night
- Send a surprise gift such as flowers, a book, or something thoughtful you two share in common
- Send them a love letter in the mail
- Pay them a surprise visit
- Make them a Spotify playlist
- Send each other romantic texts
When to Let Go of a Long-Distance Relationship
This is the hardest part: knowing when to let go of a long-distance relationship. It might be time to let go of the relationship when you’re feeling overwhelmed, when you are the one putting in all the effort, and when there is no plan to see each other or be together in the future.
As with every healthy relationship, there needs to be a balance of giving and receiving from both parties. If the balance isn’t there and you both don’t share the same long-term goals for your lives, it might be time to let go. Make sure you are looking at your long-distance relationship from a perception of reality (what it is) and not living in a fantasy you have created (what it could be).
At the end of the day, it comes down to how you feel in your heart. Check in with yourself to make sure you’re making a decision that empowers you and remember, if it’s meant to be, it will be.
