Essentials For Surviving A Long-Distance Relationship

Reviews · February 13, 2017

Globalization is, generally, a wonderful thing with a myriad of benefits. We can sample food from thousands of miles away, work with people we’ve never met and connect countries and continents in ways our ancestors would never have dreamt of.

There is, inevitably, a downside: it can take people away from one another. Long distance relationships are nothing new, but they have become all the more common in the modern world. Couples find themselves split by work, or perhaps meet online and have to forge a relationship across the miles. Given the statistics on long distance relationships (LDRs) are not exactly encouraging, is it possible to make it work?

I’ll Be There For You…

One of the keys to making an LDR work is to be there for one another. This sounds obvious in a standard relationship, but for an LDR, it’s a little trickier.

You have to learn to utilize technology for the relationship. A quick text message can let someone know you’re thinking of them; you can watch movies together on Skype and forget about the distance between you. Try and keep abreast of what’s happening in your lives, such as when one of you has a tough day ahead or challenges they are facing. Then make a note of it and remember to get in touch with a brief “thinking of you” message.

Celebrate Good Times (Come On!)…

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Holidays and special days like Valentine’s Day become all the more important in an LDR. It’s a way of connecting through a common theme, uniting you in the same celebration.

Try and make special plans to talk on important days. You could decorate your home and show off the decor to your partner, sending a video of a walking tour so they can almost feel like they’re there. Remember your gifts too; send flowers with a international florist, personalized trinkets or just a box of candy – anything that shows you have taken the time to make the other feel good.

The Green Eyed Monster…

Jealousy is a problem in any normal relationship, but it has the ability to sprout horns and take over an LDR. As you’re not there to see someone’s body language when they talk about that colleague at work or a new friend they met, soon you can find yourself looking for a subtext.

Remember this if you find yourself suspicious. You are going off a lack of feedback on the full picture; don’t look for issues that aren’t there. If you have concerns, voice them instantly rather than letting them fester. It’s far healthier even if it’s a testing conversation initially.

See You Soon…

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In an LDR, you know you’re not going to see one another as often as you would like. However, always try and know exactly when you will next be able to be in the same room as one another. It gives you something to look forward to, a date to focus on that can make time pass quicker.

It also has the added benefit of making you both feel more secure. You can anticipate a reunion, knowing the current situation is temporary and you’ll be together again soon.