5 Tips for Making a Long Distance Relationship Work
Long distance relationships (LDR) are, hands-down, the hardest types of relationships to maintain. Certain types of interracial relationships and millionaire relationships end up dividing a couple by distance simply because of job obligations or similar circumstances. You could go months without seeing each other and days without hearing the voice of the person that you love. This type of relationship is not for everyone. It takes a strong heart, a lot of security and a seemingly-unrealistic level of patience to endure it.
Technology has advanced in such a way that it is much easier to stay in touch with your loved ones afar. In fact, for the last year, a friend of mine only saw his girlfriend over Skype while she was teaching abroad in Spain. Of course, seeing each other is only one part of the big puzzle that makes up LDR success. Here are some things to keep in mind:
1. Be Present – Distractions are all around us. When you are in an LDR, you need to focus on being present during your limited conversations/ video chats. This is the only time you get together, make the most of it. Turn off the TV, avoid friends, and get away from any other distractions that keep from enjoying your time together just as you would in person.
2. Be Affirmative – Anyone in an LDR today can attest to the scrutiny of others. You will find plenty of negativity to make you doubt your relationship. Affirming to each other your love and commitment is an important part of making it work at a distance. The more you focus on your commitment to each other and building a happy relationship, despite the distance, the stronger you will be.
3. Be Realistic With Travel Plans – Traveling is expensive, no matter where you live and are trying to go. If you can only afford to see your partner in the flesh once per year, then only plan for that. Going broke just to see them more is no good for anyone. You can just as effectively build your interracial relationship through continued open communication.
4. Accept the Sadness – The reason why most people fail at LDR is because they are overwhelmed by being alone. It is not easy to be apart from your partner, but it is part of the package. You have to have a strong heart to really thrive through this. It is okay to be sad. And it is okay to know that your friends and family probably will not understand just how much your heart aches.
5. Live Your Life – I always joke that the best part of an LDR is that it’s like being single – sort of. When your loved one lives in the next town, you schedule your life around being able to see them and spend time with them. Long distance relationships allow you to keep living your life because of the limited amount you get to see your partner. Living your life to the fullest is good for the soul and will ease the pain of loneliness and make the time pass much faster.
