Ok, first of all: don’t do it. Life is too short, and there’s plenty of fish in the sea. Relationships require a lot of work. Like a lot. So, why add extra layers of complication, if the whole point of a significant other is having a companion, a BFF, and some intimacy, basically 24/7?
Then again, the heart wants what it wants, so, if you insist and really feel like the love of your life is someone who lives a flight and two cabs away from you, then keep on reading for some tips on how to make a long-distance relationship work.
Have a plan
How long will it be before you see each other? Six months? A year? Indefinitely? Do either of you have money to travel back and forth? Take all of this into consideration and set yourselves goals. The shorter the period, the better, obviously. And the more constant your meetings are, the smaller the deal is with each separation.
Also, where are your lives heading? Do you also want to move abroad eventually? Are you going on a series of graduate courses? Taking a gap year around the world? As much as both of you may love each other, make sure both of your lives eventually are on the same page, so you can start planning things together. And make sure you both want the same things. Otherwise, before you set out on this journey, you might want to ask: is it even worth it?
When it comes to communicating, find a balance
Too little communication, and your lives will drift apart from each other; too much, and you might end up getting sick of each other worse than if you lived together. So, make sure you set rules for a good morning and good night text, follow each other on social media, and try to make your SO a part of your life abroad. Do all of this without obsessing over where your SO is or with whom.
At the same time, make sure you’re 100% honest about what you do and who you’re with. And most importantly, be honest to yourself. Wouldn’t you rather be single and ready to mingle? If you are, make sure you communicate this to your partner and either break up as friends or try to work out an alternative, like an open relationship. Your call.
Make sure you do you
There are perks to a LDR. One of them is it allows you to have the freedom to focus on you. So, don’t sit around your lonely apartment waiting to get a text from your SO. Get to know yourself, meet other people, take that swing class you’ve always wanted. Start new projects, hit the gym. Do everything you’ve always wanted to do but never had time for. Now’s your chance to get out there.
Send nudes
This might be a bit challenging, or not. It depends. Sex is a vital part of a relationship, and if you’re doing long distance, it’s going to suck not to have it as part of your routine. Nudes, Skype sex, or even just dirty talk are all really hot alternatives to explore your sexuality, even if you live in the same city.
When you’re doing long distance, this might be a make-or-break situation, so try to get into it and see if it works. Use apps like Snapchat or Instagram that allow you to send pics that self-destruct after a few seconds and also warn you of screenshots. But first, a couple of rules: don’t make it distasteful. Always make sure it’s consensual. And listen to each other about what gets you on.
Then again, sometimes, in spite of all the love, things just don’t end up working out. Think everything through, long and hard, before doing something you might regret or flat out ending it in a rage or jealous fit. And, hey, if it comes to that, admitting defeat is no defeat at all. Don’t blame it on anyone if it doesn’t work out. Don’t hold a grudge, either. Life goes on, so why not carry on knowing you gave it your all. It’s not a breakup. It is a rebirth. A chance to fashion a new self, for yourself.
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If you want to read more like this you should definitely click on the following articles:
5 Reasons Why You Should Break Up With Your S.O. Before The Holidays
How To Choose The Right Partner, According To Psychology
Can A Relationship Survive When Someone Is Unfaithful?