Sometimes there’s no way to make the distance between you two shorter – but that doesn’t mean those long-distance relationships can’t work! In this article, learn how to make relationships work long distance or how to use social media and Skype to keep in contact with your partner while you’re apart.
What is a long distance relationship?
A long distance relationship (LDR) is defined as an intimate relationship in which one or both partners are physically separated by a significant geographical distance. Sometimes it may be considered a variation of the telecommuting marriage, in which one partner works from home while the other resides 50 miles away. While there are some similarities between these types of relationships, they can also have their own unique challenges.
To get started with a LDR, you and your partner will need to make some important decisions. First and foremost, you’ll need to determine whether you’re both willing to try a LDR. If you’re doubtful about whether it’s the right thing for you, then it might not be worth starting a relationship on this footing.
Pros and Cons of a long distance relationship
Pros of long distance relationships:
- You can be with the person you love without having to see them every day.
- The two of you can have a lot of fun chatting online or by telephone.
- You don’t have to worry about maintaining a physical relationship if you both live far apart.
- It’s romantic and exciting to be able to express your feelings across such a vast expanse of space.
- It can be nice to have someone to confide in and share experiences with who isn’t actually there with you in person.
Cons of long distance relationships:
- It can be difficult keeping the relationship going when one or both people are living apart and aren’t able to see each other as much as they’d like.
- If one person is out of town on business or vacation, it can be hard to keep that communication active and interesting without being face-to-face.
- Long distance relationships can be more stressful than traditional ones because there’s not always a clear structure in place for communicating during busy times.
How to Improve Long Distance Relationships?
In order to have a successful long distance relationship, you will need to be willing to put in the effort. Here are a few tips that can help:
1. Set Boundaries
Start by defining your boundaries. What is and is not acceptable behavior? Be specific so that each party knows what they are allowed and prohibited from doing. This will help keep your relationship on track and avoid any misunderstandings.
2. Stay in Touch Regularly
Keep in touch with your partner regularly. Send them emails, text messages, or even telephone calls as often as possible. This will show that you care about them and appreciate their presence in your life.
3. Exchange Gifts Often
Send each other thoughtful gifts often – it will show that you care about them and are interested in maintaining the relationship. A card with a handwritten message is always a nice touch!
4. Discuss Your Goals for the Relationship
Talk about your goals for the relationship – what you hope to gain from being apart and what you plan on doing to make things work when you’re reunited. This way, both parties are aware of expectations and can make sure to fulfill them without any surprises or hurt feelings arising down the line.
5. Don’t Discuss Your Issues Directly
If your partner is upset about something you said or did, it’s best to let her vent her displeasure in her own time. One-on-one disclosure is perfectly acceptable and has no negative side effects, while mass discussion can leave both parties with a bad taste in their mouths.
Creating Your Own Success Plan
If you’re thinking of pursuing a relationship with someone living far away, here are some tips to help make it work:
1. Make a plan.
This is key! While it’s important to start off trusting that the other person will do what’s best for them, you can’t fully invest emotionally unless you have a roadmap indicating where things are going and when they’ll get there. This means setting achievable goals, communicating frequently, and sticking to it—no matter how tricky something seems at first.
2. Set boundaries.
Just because someone lives thousands of miles away from you doesn’t mean they’re entitled to your time and energy 24/7. Allow yourself adequate downtime, boundaries around phone and internet usage, and overall space in order to rejuvenate and maintain healthy relationships. Sometimes all we need is some time and space to recharge our batteries before diving back in.
3. Communicate openly and honestly.
Open communication is essential for any type of relationship, but it’s especially important when dealing with long-distance monogamy. By being brutally honest with one another, you’ll be able to decipher any potential problems before they turn into immeasurable pain points. Plus, taking the time to verbalize your feelings will strengthen the bond between you, your partner, and any children that may one day come from these relationships.
4. Take care of one another physically.
At some point in your relationship, there’s a good chance that both of you have had horrible days at work causing “work hours” to extend a little past daybreak for more than >24 hours. Â So make sure you are as close to your partner as possible if your days extend past bedtime. Pick a film out of the comfort of one another’s home theaters and watch it while you’re snuggled up together on the couch. Perform oral sex on one another without interrupting sleep. Etc.
5. Trust each other but always be on guard.
There’s nothing worse than waking your significant other in the middle of the night because they’ve decided to sabotage their relationship (and life) when they put their brain to work during their eight-hour workday.
Conclusion
Relationships don’t always work out when we are apart – whether it’s for a weekend or an extended period of time. However, with the right techniques, you can make them work even if you are living thousands of miles away from your significant other.
