9 Tips For Keeping Your Long Distance Relationship Strong
Sometimes life will send you and your loved on in opposite directions. It could be work or family commitments that drive you to opposite ends of the country or even the globe! Is there any hope for your long-distance relationship and can you and your guy make it through this?
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Living far apart will certainly put a strain on some relationships and you may even discover that you were not as compatible as your first thought. However, many couples successfully navigate their way through this period in their lives and it can work. This is especially true if you know that it is for only a fixed period of time. If you have finally found your special someone, here the top 9 tips for making the situation work for you.
- Schedule time to talk
This means actually talk and not message each other on social media. It does not have to be a long conversation, just a quick chat is usually enough to re-establish your connection. It is extremely difficult to sort out conflict or sensitive issues in writing because it is so easy to misunderstand what is being said or the tone in which it was meant. Â You may need to clear the air with a quick call every now and then. Schedule a time when it will take place and get rid of all other distractions so that you can give your loved one your undivided attention.
- Don’t be miserable
You may be utterly distraught and miserable all the time because you miss him so much but don’t dwell on that when you are messaging or speaking to him. Obviously, you need to tell him how much you miss him and how much you are looking forward to seeing him but talk about some happy things as well. Tell him about something positive that has happened or something that has made you happy or laugh during the day.
- Don’t argue in text
Arguments are never sorted out in messaging apps so don’t even try. You will just end up going around and around in circles and piling one misunderstanding on top of another. If your text chat is turning a bit sour, bring it to a close and make a call instead.
- Be clear about how this will end
You need to be in agreement about what the end of the separation will be. If one of you is happy for this to be a permanent situation but the other one is planning for it lasting for three weeks then you have some talking to do. You need to agree on this one!
- Let him know you are thinking of him
Nothing says this as well as a surprise gift but it needs to be something special. Check out gift ideas for men and choose something that you know that he will love. Book him an action and adventure weekend or a beer tour that he will love. Perhaps he’ll do the same for you!
- Planned and unplanned visits
Try to arrange as many planned visits as you can. These can cost a lot of money and are very disruptive to your work/life schedule but they are vital if you are going to keep the relationship alive. Perhaps you could meet half way sometimes? It’s great to surprise him with an unplanned visit sometimes but make sure that you know his schedule. He may be working that weekend and you will end up disappointed.
- Handle your visits carefully
When you see so little of each other it can be tempting to shut yourselves away when he is visiting. However, it is much healthier for your long-term relationship if you can integrate his visits into your usual social life. Go out with your friends and make him part of your usual routine.
- Make the most of the time you have alone
Use the time that you are alone to do something positive for yourself. Sign up for a class that you have always wanted to do, perhaps something that he hates! It could be cookery or surfing, all that matters is that you enjoy it and are fulfilled by it. You will also get to meet like-minded people and will not be so lonely.
- Set long-distance dates
You don’t have to be in the same room to watch a movie together. Set up FaceTime, order the same takeaway and enjoy the experience together. It’s almost as good as the real thing!
Tia, and TipsfromTia.com is trying to keep you looking good and
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