Sometimes distance is unavoidable. Even in the most committed relationships, couples sometimes have to face the prospect of spending months or years apart as they pursue their careers and life goals. But this doesn’t have to mean the end of your relationship, an LDR is possible as long as both partners are committed to making the situation work. Here are our top tips for maintaining a successful relationship, no matter what the distance.
Communicate Regularly on by Phone or Video
It may be tempting to resort to a quick text if you are feeling tired or stressed but committing to regular speaking contact with your partner either through video call, zoom or skype will help you to keep your connection.
Keeping each other updated on what is happening in each other’s daily lives is a great way to ensure you continue to feel like a team. You can give each other advice, ask how yesterday’s big meeting went, etc. With today’s quick technology there is no excuse for not keeping each other updated.
So, plan either a morning or night time check-in where you share in each other’s days and talk about the new people you’ve met, experiences you’ve had, and how you’ve been feeling recently.
Meet Halfway
If you are both too far away to make meeting up regularly in each other’s countries an achievable goal, why not split the distance and meet at the halfway point between your two locations? Not only will this save time and money on travel, but you’ll both have an extra romantic time meeting up in a new town where no one else knows you. You’ll have adventures exploring cities and making memories that are entirely your own.
Keep To a Schedule
It may seem hard to believe when the other person just leaves, but out of sight can, unfortunately, become out of mind despite all best intentions. So, make a communication schedule and stick to it! Don’t put off a call because you don’t really feel like it, if you are in a funk your partner might be just the person to wrench you out of it!
Relationships shouldn’t feel like work, but sometimes they need a little extra effort to survive in strenuous moments, so put the hours in and commit to your daily calls.
Surprise Your Partner with Deliveries and Gifts
Let your partner know they are loved and appreciated no matter how far removed you both are at the moment. Flowers are always welcome, or maybe you could get them tickets to their favourite local sports team. Tailor a gift to something they’ve been mentioning on the phone a lot to show how much you listen and take notice of their interests.
Remember not to overdo it though – a surprise gift isn’t much of a surprise if it arrives on schedule each week. And tailor it to your partner’s interests and needs – sending a box of chocolates to someone on a health kick probably isn’t the most thoughtful of moves!
Confront Problems Head On
If your partner suddenly starts to go off the grid a little bit and becomes hard to get hold of, don’t jump to conclusions. But equally, don’t fall into the temptation of sweeping something under the carpet if you are worried something might be wrong.
Instead, approach the situation calmly and have an open and frank discussion about how you are feeling and how you can both move forward. It may have been that they’ve been sick, completely snowed under with work, or dealing with another problem they didn’t want to worry you with.
If you are concerned or worried about things, the only way you’re going to get some answers is to ask questions.
