It’s one of the big questions when it comes to relationships: do long distance partnerships ever work out? If you get your advice from the movies, then the answer is always no. But if you follow a few simple tips, you could make your relationship go the distance no matter how far apart you are.
Ease up on the communication
Just because you don’t live in the same place doesn’t mean you need to communicate constantly to close the gap. It might work at first, but you could soon find yourselves exhausted, frustrated and at a loss for things to say. Keep your communication levels as you would for any regular relationship and you’ll avoid the risk of overload.
Agree on a communication platform
If you’re all about WhatsApp and your partner prefers Skype, you could find yourselves in a heated argument fairly soon. To get around this, agree upfront how you’ll communicate and when as well, that way you’ll both know the best time to talk and the best way to talk, too.
Do things together
So you can’t see each other every Saturday for date night, but that doesn’t mean you can’t connect. Settle down to watch the same movie at the same time and keep in touch throughout. Suggest your partner goes to a restaurant in their area you’ve always wanted to try, and get them to give feedback. New experiences mean new talking points and zero boredom.
Lay down some ground rules
How long will you go between seeing each other? SMSing each other? Talking to each other? Are you 100% exclusive or will you see other people? Setting guidelines before you go long distance will help both of you clarify your expectations and ensure that the two of you stay as happy as possible for as long as possible.
Don’t forget to flirt
You might be in different cities, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bring the romance (or the naughtiness, too). Send flowers or chocolates if you’re feeling flush, send a racy pic or two if you’re feeling frisky. You can still express your sexuality from a distance in a healthy way. Just triple-check who you’re sending the pics to before you hit ‘Enter’!
Be honest
By far the most important quality in a long-distance relationship is authenticity. Be genuine about what you’re feeling and why, let your partner in so they don’t feel left out, and be as truthful as you can in every situation. You’ll have a trustworthy foundation on which to build a positive connection and you’ll become closer as a result. Honesty really is the best policy.
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