There are all sorts of reasons why people who are part of a committed relationship can suddenly find themselves having to adjust to separate lives. Work responsibilities might take someone into a different state, or even country, for periods of time. Enrolling in a university could entail having to rely on emails and Skype calls to touch base with whoever is remaining at home. The advent of Internet dating has meant many singles have connected with potential partners via a popular dating site like this, only to discover the person whose profile photo and online chat has wowed them lives some distance away.
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If there’s one thing about human relationships, they can be incredibly resilient. If you want to make a long-distance relationship work, here are four of the best tips.
Plan your communication
With most people in a relationship, touching base is something which occurs naturally. But when you are separated by distance, this will need to be arranged to a much stricter timetable, especially when you happen to be living in different timezones. Be aware of when it would be most convenient to make contact. If you are going to be unable to make the call or video chat for whatever reason, it’s essential to give plenty warning. This will alleviate a whole lot of worry.
Use the available technology – and be creative
Technology has made it so much more convenient to keep in touch with anyone over long distances. A raft of web chat software options is available, such as Skype, WhatsApp, LiveChat, Facebook Messenger, and many others. The advantage of utilizing these products is they are relatively inexpensive compared to relying on mobile phone chats across international boundaries and allow a much higher and more personal degree of interaction. Depending on how close you are to your partner, you could use the opportunity to interact in this virtual forum by introducing some imaginative intimacy into your virtual liaisons.
Keep taking part in activities you enjoy doing together
Perhaps you have a favorite TV show you enjoy watching with your partner, or music you love listening to together. You should continue participating in these leisure activities, so when you do touch base for your regular catch-ups, you can still discuss the various twists and turns in the plots. Where at all possible you should try and maintain a sense life is going on, albeit in this temporarily estranged way. If you put everything you like doing ‘on hold’ for however long it will be until you are reunited, it is only going to focus on the fact you are living apart. Far better to try making the most of your situation.
Focus on the eventual reunion
If you’re separated due to employment or study commitments, it’s so important to be able to have some idea of the moment when your temporary break will come to an end, even if only for a weekend break. If the opportunity does present itself for you to spend some time together, focus on this date. Make plans to meet at the station or airport, and have an itinerary ready of the activities you’ll get up to once you’re in each other’s arms again.
Perhaps your long distance relationship is down to the fact you met on a dating site, but you happen to live in different countries. All the aforementioned advice about keeping in touch through timetabled communications and webchats are even more crucial. But it would be fantastic to arrange a get-together, utilizing cheap travel options to meet in person at a suitable location at an appropriate time.
Neha Nidhi
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