Building A Lovely Long-Distance Relationship

A long-distance relationship is generally an intimate or romantic relationship between partners who are geographically separated – heap of kilometers apart – from each other. Couples in long-distance relationships face the challenge of lack of physical or face-to-face contact.

With the current trend of living where migration has become a prominent feature in our contemporary society as one or both partners work and or school in different cities, regions, and countries, long distance relationships are inevitable. Partners thus have no option but to find ways to manage and put in place all measures to make the relationship work. This requires much commitment and trust!

Here are some tips to help you enjoy a long-distance relationship:

1. Be Committed: It is important for both of you to be equally committed, with the view of working to develop and maintain the relationship. Be on the same page in terms of investing your time, energy, and resources into it. Let your partner know you are committed to the relationship.

2. Express Your Love: Since you are not together and cannot express your love to one another in person, sending a card, message, gift etc. to express your love can be a great way to bring about closeness between you and your partner. Even though there is distance always, remind your love how beautiful or handsome they are and think of creative ways to tell them you love them.

3. Communicate Often and Effectively: Learn about your partner’s preferred method of communication and find ways to communicate very often. A happy and healthy long-distance relationship requires a great deal of regulated and moderated communication. It can be by phone call, text, letter, or social media. It makes you feel closer to each other especially in difficult times. Effective communication skills that will bring about closeness and understanding are imperative in a long-distance relationship.

4. Trust Each Other: Distance can be a very testing element on two people who love and care about one another. Significant others thus must find a way to maintain trust in one another. Be transparent to each other and build confidence in one another to erase all jealousies and suspicions. Give each other the total benefit of the doubt when there are suspicions. Reassure your partner of your trust in them and their importance to you. Let your partner know that even though you are separated by distance, you are always thinking about them.

5. Make Dates to See Each Other: Schedule and keep track of times in the year where you can meet; possibly at a location half-way between the two of you. Whether it is months or weeks away, plan a time to see each other and mark it on your calendar. Waiting to see and catching up with the one you love is something that can be very exciting and worth waiting for.

6. Pick Your Battles: It can be very difficult to understand each other well when you are not together and unable to see each other in person. The stress of being apart can have people act and react in certain ways that they probably would not if you were together; and it doesn’t mean they don’t love you. Your relationship will be much healthier and happier if you are able to understand this, and “fight fairly”.

7. Have Mutual Goals and Respect: Learn to set common goals and work together towards achieving them. Find something that the two of you can do despite the distance; have a daily, weekly, or monthly plan of it and work together towards it. Planning aspects of your life together helps to make the long distance of your relationship seem less of a barrier. Be on the same page with regards to what each other expects from the relationship and show mutual respect for each other’s opinions, feelings, ideas, and perspectives.

8. Have Your Own Life: Fulfill your happiness on your own by doing things you have passion and interest for. Having some aspect of life outside of each other is very important whether in a long-distance relationship or not, as it helps in making your relationship stronger. However, don’t forget to make time to talk to your partner. It shows your partner that whilst you are confident and able to make yourself happy, you still care about them.

9. Remember Them: Out of sight, out of mind; they say, but one important aspect of helping to keep a healthy long-distance relationship is your ability to remember your partner always. Remember important days in their life and celebrate it with them. Remember them when you go shopping. Can you imagine how your partner will feel when they visit you after several months and you meet them with a gift you bought for them when you went shopping?

10. Don’t Give Up: Ultimately, don’t give up! Even when the going gets tough, stand by each other, motivate each other, and know that it shall come to pass. As long as you both want it, you will be able to overcome any hurdle no matter how many miles apart you are.

Having and maintaining a long-distance relationship can be both a challenging and rewarding experience. It is a true saying that “absence makes the heart grow fonder”, but I have the conviction that “distance makes the heart grow stronger.”

Most long-distance relationships fail not because it is impossible, but because one or both of the parties involved do not have the required desire to make it work. If both parties show love, patience and commitment, and plan very well, they will enjoy a very exciting, happy, and successful long-distance relationship. It is possible!