Long distance relationships offer couples an interesting dynamic that can bring out the best or worst in them. But they’re also quite common and provide couples with the unique opportunity to get to know someone they wish to spend their life with.
If you’re thinking about embarking on a long distance relationship, there are a few things to keep in mind that will ensure the success of your union in the long run.
Communicate Regularly
If you have a long distance relationship, communication is essential for maintaining the connection. Communication is the glue that holds any relationship together, so it’s essential for couples to have regular conversations about everything from their daily lives to what goals they hope to accomplish in the future.
If your long distance relationship isn’t communicating regularly, it could be leading to major issues in your love life. The first step should be having an honest discussion with your partner about how often they should communicate with you.
Ideally, aim to communicate with your partner at least once a day or every other day. While this may seem like an excessive amount of communication, it is an effective way to maintain connection and build trust between both of you.
One important note to remember is the importance of communicating your emotions honestly. Without honesty in both directions, your relationship won’t be healthy or secure.
Start by asking your partner how they are feeling when you talk to them. Doing this will enable you to determine if they share the same emotions as you do, making dealing with your emotions much simpler.
Many people mistakenly assume it’s acceptable to talk constantly when in a long distance relationship, but this isn’t always the best practice. Remember that people get busy and need time away from each other from time to time.
If you and your significant other live far apart, take advantage of non-verbal communication whenever possible. This could include things like spending a few hours doing something you both enjoy. It would also be beneficial to explore non-digital modes of communication like writing letters or creating scrapbooks together.
When in a long distance relationship, it’s easy for insecurities and feelings of not being validated to take over your interactions with your partner. This can lead to interactions feeling stagnant and dull. But making your long distance relationship work requires learning how to communicate on deeper levels and avoiding common mistakes that lead to conflict in this type of arrangement.
Schedule One-on-One Time
When in a long distance relationship, making time for one-on-one time is essential to keep the connection strong and lasting. Thanks to advances in technology and communication, it has never been simpler to meet face-to-face or have video chats from home.
Establish a schedule for yourself and your partner so that both of you know what is expected of each other. This could include how often you communicate with each other, as well as whether there’s any specific date or time you both would prefer to meet up.
Couples sometimes get so busy in their daily lives that they neglect spending quality time together as a couple. But that doesn’t have to be the case! Planning fun dates for both of you will make you both feel valued and included in each other’s lives.
Building trust and a strong connection with your partner can be an excellent way to foster trust, while also allowing you to feel closer together even when miles apart. In fact, according to research by Janning et al. (2018), spending quality time together in an LDR may reduce the number of problems experienced by couples.
Additionally, it’s essential to schedule date nights or two for you and your significant other in order to maintain physical contact. Doing this will make you feel like part of each other’s lives, as well as providing an enjoyable way to break up LDR monotony.
Once you and your partner have established a schedule for one-on-ones, it is essential that you stick with it. In order for these meetings to be fruitful, they should take place regularly – weekly or biweekly is ideal.
Prior to each meeting, take some time to review your agenda and collect thoughts. Doing this will enable you to arrive prepared for your upcoming one-on-one and discuss topics productively.
Managers can take time to create an agenda for their next meeting, making sure all team members are informed ahead of time of what will be discussed. It also serves as a great chance to review goals and measure progress toward them. By setting an established cadence and adhering to it, managers demonstrate their dedication to creating an efficient working atmosphere.
Stay Connected
Long distance relationships can be challenging, but with the right effort and consideration they can also be successful. Whether you met online, your partner has relocated for work, or you just want to travel together, you might be wondering how to stay connected in a long-distance relationship. Here are some tips for keeping in touch during this period of transition.
Communication is essential in any healthy relationship, and when you’re physically apart it can be even more essential to set aside time for one-on-one conversations. Utilizing platforms such as FaceTime, Skype or Google Hangouts allows for the intimacy and connection you desire in your relationship while helping maintain intimacy and connection within it.
Communicating regularly not only helps build emotional distance between you and your significant other, but it’s important to share what’s happening in both of your lives as well. While it may seem obvious, keeping each other informed about daily tasks, family events, or favorite activities can help reduce this emotional distance.
For instance, you could inquire about how your commute is going, if there were any enjoyable activities on the way home, what your coworker had for dinner, or what you have planned for your next hiking expedition. Getting to know those in your partner’s life allows for the creation of a sense of shared identity which is so important in long-distance relationships.
When communicating with your partner, make sure they feel heard and acknowledged when speaking. Doing this will show them that you value the relationship and show that you genuinely care about their needs.
If you’re having difficulty maintaining an emotional connection in a long-distance relationship, counseling may be beneficial. This will teach you effective communication techniques and enable you to discuss any issues that are negatively affecting your bond.
Couples often ponder if their long-distance relationships will last, but it doesn’t have to be that way. With the tips above, you can ensure your LDR remains healthy and rewarding.
Remember, the most essential aspect of a long-distance relationship is your love and desire to spend time with your partner. Though an end is impossible, don’t let physical distance stand in the way of being connected with them.
Don’t Take It for Granted
It is essential in a long distance relationship not to take things for granted. While it can be tempting to do so when you don’t get to see your partner regularly, doing so could lead to feelings of resentment and dissatisfaction in the long run.
Avoid taking your long distance relationship for granted by remembering it is an unique kind of bond. While it requires extra effort and thoughtfulness on both sides, the rewards are plentiful.
An example of this would be taking time to appreciate your partner’s thoughtful gestures, such as sending you a kind text or surprising you with a care package. Doing so can make both of you feel valued and keep the flame of love alive even when apart.
There are plenty of ways to show your long distance partner you care, from small gestures to big surprises. This could include organizing an enjoyable trip together, sending a surprise box full of treats or taking a leisurely hike through the woods.
You might be pleasantly surprised to learn that many of the most exciting and lasting activities you do while in a long distance relationship involve your loved one. Utilizing Skype as a way of staying connected is an excellent way to show your affection, but don’t forget about other ways in which you can stay connected with them as well.
Head kisses, nighttime snuggles and other forms of physical affection are a wonderful way to demonstrate your affection for someone special. The more often you practice this kind of touchy-feely behavior, the better off both of you will be in the long run.
Another way to not take your long distance relationship for granted is remembering that even when you’re apart, there’s still much you can learn from each other. This can be the greatest advantage of being in a long distance relationship as it helps you appreciate each other more and convey your affection.
Christopher Conway, the innovative mind behind “Love Blueprints,” is a seasoned relationship expert and author. His insightful guidance, drawn from years of experience and study, offers transformative strategies for modern love and dating. Christopher’s commitment to enhancing romantic connections has made “Love Blueprints” a go-to resource for those navigating the complexities of relationships.
