The goal of this blog is to explore how to sustain a long distance relationship and to make it work. . .
With today’s technology advancements, maintaining a long-distance relationship shouldn’t be too much of a feat. Gone are the days when couples had to depend on postal mail, waiting for news that is 3 days old. While phone calls, instant messaging, and even facetime are available with the touch of a screen, technology cannot compensate for everything. Plenty of couples have done the long-distance thing and made it out unscathed. You just have to take some extra steps to keep the connection strong. Below is our expertise.
Communicate at Your Own Pace
When in a long-distance relationship, communication is[pivotal and key. However, everyone has their own communication preferences, deciding and agreeing on what mode of communication is also important. Make sure you are communicating as much or as little as you need to feel connected. Devoting your free time to catching up can be a great thing if both parties are on the same page about it.
We live in a time of around-the-clock access to each other. Some people want to talk every hour; others find it tiring and draining to do that. Establish some communication rules so that you and your partner can feel validated and heard while in a long-distance relationship.
Set Ground Rules
While this may not be the sexiest part of your relationship, it is very important. Setting realistic and healthy expectations for what you both need out of the relationship is important for any couple, but more important for couples that are long-distance.
Setting expectations on how often you both communicate, your commitment levels, and so on will ensure there are no misinterpretations within the relationship. It’s tough navigating a long-distance relationship, but it’s even harder while also being unsure of the dynamics.
Plan Creative Dates
Just because you both are not physically there does not mean you can’t go on dates. Get creative! Consider your interests as a couple and collaborate on out-of-the-box ways to connect on it. Maybe you both like eating Italian food, so plan a date where you and your partner can eat Italian at the same time while on a phone call / or video chat. Perhaps you both love movies and want to do an Amazon watch party. The options to do things together virtually are endless!
Get Intimate on Video Chat
Let’s all take a moment to appreciate the invention of video calling. We all have physical needs. It’s biology! Of course, depending on both of your comfort levels, calling your partner for a sexy session can absolutely help in the intimacy department. Video can be a good way to communicate to see how much you turn each other on. Also, who doesn’t love knowing they have that desirable effect on someone?! Long distance does not mean that the sparks stop flying if you know what we mean.
Don’t Put Your Life on Hold
Perhaps the most important takeaway is to ensure you both aren’t putting your lives on hold. To put it bluntly, long-distance relationships definitely require extra sacrifice & work. With that said, you must be careful not to sacrifice more than you are willing. Mutually make sure you both are living your best lives individually independently, as well as together interdependently.
“Distance can make the heart grow fonder”
Source: Gomez & Miller (2020) 18 Ways to Make a Long Distance Relationship Work, https://www.womenshealthmag.com/relationships/a28069227/how-to-make-long-distance-relationships-work/
Source: Andrea Bonior (2018) 10 Tips to Make a Long Distance Relationship Work, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/friendship-20/201806/10-tips-make-long-distance-relationship-work
Source: Keay Nigel (2022) 21 Best Tips on Making a Long Distance Relationship Work, https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/21-best-tips-making-long-distance-relationship-work.html