A lot of people find long-distance relationships more difficult and challenging and many fail to make it work because the geographical separation and lack of face to face interaction at times contribute to a great disconnect and add a whole new level of complexity to their relationship.
The emotional attachment of the partners is usually threatened due to the time differences, conflicting schedules or simply because the partners may not have matching energy levels at different times throughout the day. Although, we hear that distance means little when someone means so much but long-distance relationships can still be qualitatively different and fragile. Partners usually doubt if it is worth holding onto. A part of them always wonders if the relationship will survive the distance. They struggle with their own inner conflicts, doubts, and confusions. They may face great interference in their communications. Their misconceptions can lead to emotional distance, break their bond, cause distrust and push them further away from each other at emotional levels.
However, as challenging as it seems, long-distance relationships can also be a way of strengthening bonds and can succeed and even thrive if both the partners show the same level of dedication.
Here are some 10 genuine pieces of advice and tips that are the key to making a long-distance relationship work.
1. Commitment
If the partners remain equally and truly committed to each other, the distance will not threaten the quality of their relationship because if the relationship matters, the distance should not.
When people choose to be in a relationship, it is imperative that they both contribute to the same level of effort and energy.
2. Planning
Partners need to have things planned out. In most cases, one or both the partners lose interest and dedication because they have not already planned things and are uncertain of their future. Although, it might seem hard to plan your future around another person when you hardly have any idea about your own, having a common goal and working together towards that is still essential because human nature expects a good end to every challenge. So, you have to craft a long-term plan to merge your worlds.
3. Being open to modifying communication tendencies
Unnecessary tensions are created when the partners are not on the same page about things like the frequency of communications and the length of time they want to spend talking to each other. Some partners may find it tedious to talk and stay connected every single hour and some can turn irritatingly insecure and keep checking in on their partner too often. Some may want to compensate for the distance by being overly sticky. These habits can prove extremely toxic and slowly and eventually ruin the whole relationship. It, therefore, needs to be talked through so that the partners know what works best and is agreeable to both.
People should not simply expect their partners to be available all the time. Life can bring unexpected situations and can demand the couple to modify their communication tendencies. So, instead of exhausting yourself as well as your partner by constantly spamming them, you should try to be more understanding.
4. Willingness to Accept Boundaries
Relevant to tip number 3, it is extremely important for people to check if their partner has the mental capacity before they vent things out and share their concerns and problems. They should not simply expect their partner to dedicate the emotional energy they may not have at that moment. Accepting boundaries is key to every healthy relationship and is especially necessary for partners in long-distance relationships as they might be unaware of the actual circumstances their partners might be going through.
5. Allotted and Prioritized Schedules
It will be difficult for partners in a long-distance relationship to spontaneously catch up. They, therefore, need to allot time to their significant other and make it a part of their priority. They need to stick to a schedule so they do not have to go through long periods of separation.
6. Communicating regularly
Lack of communication can increase complications. Long-distance couples need to always make sure that they do not avoid communications especially when things are not going good between them. They need to be more intentional about responding to each other and should talk through the hard feelings and struggles instead of walking away. Couples at times miscommunicate their feelings through texts and sometimes misinterpret their partner’s intentions and meanings. They should, therefore, try their best to discuss and talk through them instead of texting which usually drags rough conversations.
7. Forging a Close Bond by Not Holding Them Back
Having a secure attachment is important for couples who want to grow and mature. Finding ways to push each other forward instead of holding back should be encouraged in every stage of life. Investing in yourself and building your own personal life but also let your partner evolve in their own ways. Personal growth and change is a product of security and confidence in a relationship.
8. Having fun together
Partners should make sure they remember each other in their little moments of joy, have a fun time together, and share those small moments of their day that brighten up with their significant other.
9. Being there for each other
It is more common for long-distance couples to develop feelings of loneliness. They may at times feel like they are no more important to their partner. So, it is necessary for an individual to keep reminding their loved one how much they mean to them. Not just be expressive of their own feelings but also be a good listener and give importance to how their partner feels.
10. Avoid Invalidating your partner’s feelings
Invalidating each other’s feelings is one of the most toxic traits in every relationship. Especially in long-distance relationships, couples need more emotional support because they are more prone to developing misconceptions about one another. They should both respect each other’s feelings and avoid invalidating them at all costs. They should both continuously inject positivity to keep their relationship alive.
Remember, long-distance relationships are hard but can also be thrilling and incredible. Learning to respect, trust and love someone from a distance can forge an unbreakable bond for a lifetime.
The Takeaway
There is no doubt that long-distance relationships are often difficult than normal relationships, but things don’t have to be this way. Using the tips above can help keep both partners satisfied and on the same page and help the relationship grow into something more beautiful.
