27 Ways to Make Your Long-Distance Relationship Work
Long-distance relationships are difficult. You can't see your partner, you miss out on things like your favorite TV show together, and the distance feels like it is pulling you apart. However, there are ways to make a long-distance relationship work! Here are 27 tips that will help you maintain closeness with your loved one while living in different places.
1. Make Time for Your Relationship
Number one on this list is probably the most obvious. Make time to talk with your partner! It's easy to go days without talking, but try not to let that happen. Communication is key in any relationship, and especially important when you are far away from each other. Try setting up a weekly Skype date or calling each other every day. Even if you only talk for a few minutes, it's better than not talking at all!
2. Keep Things Romantic
Another important thing to remember is that you need to keep things romantic. You might feel like you can't be as affectionate or intimate when it's long-distance, but try your best not to let that happen. Send cute love letters and gifts during special occasions (even if they're a few weeks late). Also, you may have intimate Skype dates and phone calls.
3. Share Your Day with Each Other
When you're in a long-distance relationship, it's comforting to hear about your partner's day. Even if it seems like nothing exciting happened or that they had an awful day, sharing the little things will make both of you feel connected. Try calling each other at different times throughout the day.
4. Make Little Gifts
Lastly, little gifts can make a big difference! It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Try making your own cards or writing love letters or you can buy cute bracelets with magnets to bridge the time until they are able to connect again.
5. Use Time Wisely
When the time has come and you finally see each other, use the time wisely. Don't spend your whole day in bed or just hanging out at home. Try to have a date night, even if it's just for coffee! It'll help you feel more connected and re-energized for the next time you're away from each other.
6. Plan Weekend Getaways
Weekend getaways are a great idea if you don't live too far from each other. Plan fun trips and do something different than staying at home or going to the same place over and over again. Making plans in advance is helpful so that you both have time to save money for it.
7. Write Letters
Sending letters is a great way to keep in touch with your partner even if you're apart. They can take a long time to write and send, but it will be worth the effort when they receive them! If you don't have much money or time then cards are also an option that is quick and easy for everyone involved. Of course, you can also text each other every day via WhatsApp, etc. but a letter is something that comes from the heart.
8. Keep Things Exciting
Another great tip is to keep things exciting. Try planning weekly or monthly surprises for your partner, whether it be a fun date night or an activity that you know they've been wanting to do! This will help both of you stay excited about your relationship and always looking forward to seeing each other.
9. Don't Give Up
Lastly, don't give up. It can be frustrating when you're trying to make a long-distance relationship work and it doesn't seem like things are working out the way that you want them to. Don't let yourself become discouraged! If your partner is willing to commit then so should you no matter how hard it gets.
10. Have a Skype Date
If you're not able to meet in person, then having a video chat on the computer is something that will bring back some of your sparks. You can cook together, play board games or do anything else that allows for an intimate moment with each other. It also helps if one of you is far away because it gives them something to look forward to each day.
11. Work on Trust
Trust is very important in any relationship, especially long-distance ones. You both need to be able to trust each other and believe that the other person has good intentions. If you don't trust your partner, then it will be very difficult for the two of you to make things work.
12. Stay Positive
Try to stay positive and don't let the distance bring you down. It's easy for both of you to feel lonely or upset, but try not to make those feelings last! Be upbeat and remember how much your partner loves and cares about you even if they live far away. Try writing them a letter every day telling them exactly what they mean to you and all of the things that you love about them.
13. Keep a Long-Distance Diary
Another thing that you can do to make your partner feel closer is by keeping a long-distance diary. This will show how often you think of them and it's also very romantic if they find it later on when they come back home or visit for the first time again. So write down some things every day, even during those hard times so they know what went through your head at all times while being apart from each other. It's also fun to read after many months have passed!
14. Set Up Plans for the Future
Finally, set up plans for the future. It's easy to get caught up in your everyday life and let time slip away without realizing it. Try setting a goal or date that you want to have moved together by so you have something to work towards! You can even plan out dates months or years into the future so you both have something to look forward to.
15. Check in Regularly
Checking in regularly with your long-distance partner will help them feel more comfortable about the time away. Even if you don't have much to say, just sending a quick text or phone call can make all the difference! Just seeing their name pop up on your screen is reassuring and helps you both stay connected even when things feel far apart.
16. Make Memories at Home
While it's great to get away, don't forget about all of the fun things you can do at home together too! Cooking or baking for your partner, watching movies cuddled up on the couch, making a scrapbook with photos from when you were apart are just some ideas to help make memories that will last.
17. Be Honest
Be honest. It's important to talk about how you feel and what your needs are in a long-distance relationship! If something is bothering one of you then it will only get worse the longer that it goes on for without being addressed. Talk about problems as soon as they come up instead of letting them fester until they become too much to handle.
18. Create a Spotify Playlist to Listen Together
Another nice attention is to create a playlist and fill it with all your songs together. You can also listen to them at the same time while working, studying or doing sports to feel closer.
19. Send Her/Him a Postcard
Another great way to show your partner how much you miss and love them is by sending one of those cute postcards. They can decorate their room at home with it or even put it on the fridge for everyone to see! So if you don't have time, then do some quick sketches that they will probably appreciate more than anything else when they come back home again after such a long absence.
20. Don't Pressure Yourself
When you are finally able to see each other, don't pressure yourself. Try not to feel bad about the time that you've spent apart. Instead, just enjoy being together and focus on all of the fun things that are ahead for your relationship! Also, you don't have to do crazy things because you need to use every second wisely. Sometimes less is more.
21. Focus on What You Like About Each Other
When we're in our comfort zone we tend to take things for granted but while being apart, all of this changes because there's no day-to-day routine anymore. Instead of focusing on what annoys us about our partner (even though sometimes we really can't help it), we should focus on the things we love about each other. This will help us keep our relationship strong and it'll be easier to forgive the little things that bother us when we're together again.
22. Keep a Blog
Lastly, if you want to be even more creative and open about your feelings towards each other – start a blog. This way you can tell everything that's on your mind without having to show it in person because of fear or shame! Also, this will give your partner something else they can relate to when they miss you so much that words fall short of describing those emotions anymore.
23. Speak Up
If something bothers you, speak up! It's very difficult to read someone else's mind or know what they are thinking. If there is an issue that needs to be addressed then it should be done as soon as possible so things don't become worse over time. Don't let problems simmer because the longer you wait, the harder it gets.
24. Enjoy Time Alone
It's important to enjoy time alone. Your partner may be away for a few weeks or months but you should spend your time doing things that make you happy! The time alone should not be a torment. Be able to live your life normally and have fun. If you are always sad and waiting for a text message of your partner, it wont get better.
25. Keep Your Expectations Low
Keep your expectations low. It's not always easy to do but it can really help you feel better about the time apart. If you set high expectations and they don't come true than that leaves room for disappointment which isn't pleasant! Also, keep in mind that there are things out of both of your control so try not to worry too much.
26. Be Open to Doing Things Independently
You may feel like you need your significant other around all of the time but it can be helpful to try doing things independently. Not only will this help increase your self-confidence, it also shows them that you are able and independent which makes for a healthy relationship!
27. Create a Support Network
Lastly, creating a support network is very important. Keep your family and friends close who will be supportive of you throughout the time apart. You may even want to make some new friends or join different groups that are helpful for long-distance relationships.
In summary, make your long-distance relationship work by checking in regularly, making memories when you are together, being honest, not pressuring yourself too much and always remember: this is temporary. You are able to create your future as you want to.