9 Tips For Making Long-Distance Relationships Work

credit: Anna Shvets

This article is part of a brand partnership.

It’s hard enough to maintain a healthy relationship when you’re living in the same city, let alone maintaining one when you’re miles and miles away. But don’t worry, there are ways to make a long-distance relationship work! This blog post will discuss 11 ways that can help keep your long-distance relationship strong.

1. Keep the Lines of Communication Open

woman phone texting bed
credit: Mikhail Nilov

If you want your long-distance relationship to work, you need to communicate with each other frequently. Whether it’s through text, phone calls, video chats, or even snail mail, staying in touch is important. You need to be able to express your thoughts and feelings to each other freely. Otherwise, resentment and misunderstandings can build up over time. Maintaining constant communication can be expensive if you are not with the right provider. Look for sim contracts that allow you to stay in touch with your lover for as long as you like.

2. Be Realistic About How Often You Can Visit Each Other

couple kissing subway station
credit: Jonathan Borba

When you begin living apart, it can become easy to get caught up in your “new” lives. So, instead of making promises that you won’t be able to keep, be honest about your work schedule and any other commitments you have that will impact how often you can travel.

If you can’t manage to meet up in person very often, try and find creative ways to “visit” each other virtually. Watch the same movie at the same time and text or call each other during the film. Or cook the same meal and share pictures or videos of your progress. These little “dates” can help bridge the physical distance between you.

3. Get Creative With Your Long-Distance Dates

woman phone video chatting facetime
credit: Kindel Media

If you can’t manage to meet up in person very often, try and find creative ways to “visit” each other virtually. Some ideas include:

• Watch TV or movies together using Chrome add-ons like Teleparty

• Facetime while cooking and eating together

• Play video games online together, especially ones that allow you to chat via headset

• Start a Pinterest board to start planning a trip together

• Start a mini book club for just the two of you

• Try a date night box with activities you can do from afar

• Consider getting a friendship lamp. These allow your SO to know you’re thinking of them just by touching a lamp, which triggers their lamp to light up too.

4. Make Sure You’re On the Same Page About Your Relationship

LGBTQ couple
credit: Marcelo Chagas

Before you enter into a long-distance relationship, it’s important to make sure that you’re both on the same page about what the relationship is and what it isn’t. Are you just dating casually? Are you exclusive? What are your intentions for the future?

Making sure that you’re both clear about these things can help avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings down the road. It’s also important to discuss how often you’ll be able to see each other and how you’ll keep in touch while you’re apart. Establishing things that you won’t compromise on early on in your relationship.

5. Be Supportive of Each Other’s Goals and Dreams

woman excited happy celebrate
credit: Simona Todorova

When you’re in a long-distance relationship, it’s important to be supportive of each other’s goals and dreams. Whether your partner is trying to launch a business or get their dream job, you should be their biggest cheerleader.

It can be tough to watch your partner pursue their dreams from afar, but remember that they’re doing it for a reason. They believe in themselves and their ability to achieve great things, so they believe in them too. Offer your support and encouragement, and let them know that you’ll always be there for them, no matter what.

6. Avoid Jealousy at All Costs

woman angry jealous envy
credit: Polina Zimmerman

Jealousy is one of the quickest ways to kill a relationship, so it’s important to avoid it at all costs. If you find yourself feeling jealous of your partner’s life without you, try to put things into perspective. Remember that they’re not trying to rub their success or happiness in your face — they’re just living their life.

It’s also important to trust your partner and give them the benefit of the doubt. If you’re constantly questioning their motives or suspecting them of cheating, it’s likely that your relationship is doomed from the start. Trust is an essential part of any relationship, but it’s especially important in a long-distance one.

7. Try to Stay Positive

happy woman with beautiful hair
credit: Motoki Tonn

When you’re in a long-distance relationship, it’s easy to focus on all the ways that things could go wrong. But if you want your relationship to succeed, it’s important to stay positive and optimistic.

Remember that even though long-distance relationships are tough, they’re not impossible. With some effort and determination, you can make it work. So instead of dwelling on the negative, focus on all the ways that your relationship is special and unique. Cherish the time you have together and make the most of every moment.

8. Be Honest With Each Other

couple holding hands talking over coffee
credit: Taylor Hernandez

Communication is key in any relationship, but it’s especially important in a long-distance one. If something is bothering you, don’t bottle it up – talk to your partner about it. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, let them know. The more honest you are with each other, the easier it will be to work through any problems that arise.

Of course, honesty also means being upfront about your feelings. If you’re not sure how your partner feels about you, ask them. It’s better to know where you stand than to waste your time on someone who isn’t interested in the same things as you are.

9. Make Time For Each Other

couple kissing
credit: Tao Heftiba

When you’re in a long-distance relationship, it’s important to make time for each other. Just because you’re not physically together doesn’t mean that your relationship isn’t a priority. So set aside some time each week to talk on the phone or video chat. Remember that you can still be intimate (and you should), even from a distance! Get a smart vibe for your girl, that you can control from your phone, or go the extra mile and make yourself a custom dildo for a present (a copy of your own…). You can find both of those options at The Dildo Hub. And if possible, try to visit each other every few months.

It can be tough to find time for a long-distance relationship, but it’s important to remember that your partner is worth it. They’re an important part of your life, so make sure they know it.

MORE LIKE THIS

Compromises You Should Never Make for a Relationship

Why I Stayed In An Abusive Relationship