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As someone that was in a long distance relationship for an extended amount of time (almost two years), I’ll be the first to tell you that long distance love isn’t easy.
Related: How Long-Distance Love Bulletproofs Your Relationship
And even with an arsenal of tools at our disposal today (Skype, FaceTime, etc.,), long distance relationships are still difficult, and nothing can substitute the physical absence of our significant other.
That being said, a successful long-distance relationship is still completely doable. However, there are some habits you should definitely incorporate into your relationship if you and your partner are going long distance. Learn what habits you should be utilizing to make your long-distance relationship work.
5 Habits to Make Your Long-Distance Relationship Work
1. Discuss your expectations. A lot of long-distance relationships end up failing simply because couples don’t have open and consistent conversations about expectations. For example, how much communication do you both need each day? How often do you need to see each other? It’s vital to be on the same page on these topics and to set the expectations. Otherwise, the relationship will suffer.
2. Plan ahead with your calendar. It may seem unnecessary to actually schedule time in your calendar for when the two of you can connect, but it’s a crucial step in a long-distance relationship. In a long-distance relationship, a couple lacks the ability to touch base in-person about their daily schedule, which can hinder your ability to connect more effectively. Try scheduling ahead with your partner, and maybe even share a calendar online so the expectations are clear. Whether it’s your Skype date this Sunday, your phone call tonight, or visiting them in three months, put it on the calendar. Not only will this always give you something to look forward to, but it will also help you both to plan your time as efficiently as possible.
3. Invest your time as you would in any relationship. Just because your partner isn’t with you physically doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat it as you would any relationship. Dedicate the same amount of time and care as you would with any relationship. A long-distance relationship is difficult for most, but with enough time and energy invested, it can really work.
4. Find a daily anchor. Between in-person visits, be sure to find a daily anchor that you can both use to connect. Whether it’s a call over lunch, saying goodnight before bed, or even watching a tv show at the same time together, use your daily anchor to connect with each other.
5. And above all, ground your relationship in trust. Having a firm foundation in trust is absolutely essential for a long-distance relationship to work. Maintain and deepen your trust with your partner by always being honest and transparent with them. This means defining your expectations, and making every effort to meet them.
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