How To Make Long Distance Relationships Work When It Gets Tough

Long-distance relationships can be amazing, or a disaster. Being far away from your other half can be tough, but it’s for sure not impossible. Many couples have to deal with distance at some point in their relationship, whether it’s due to college, work trips, study abroad, etc. If you want to make your relationship work when you can’t always physically be together, you’re going to have to deal with both the good and the bad times. Let me tell you, fighting when you’re miles away from one another is one of the toughest parts about the distance. When you can’t just hug it out or scream it out, distance tends to form a wall between the two of you, making it harder to get over the little or the big fights. So, how do you make your long-distance relationship the best you possibly can? Easy, through constant love, communication, and support.

FaceTime

Nowadays we are so, so lucky for social media connecting us to the people we love. If you think you’re long-distance relationship is hard, imagine how people used to do it before texts and video chats. FaceTiming your partner is so important. Being able to speak face-to-face makes the distance between you guys feel a little closer. Make FaceTimes cute, call in the morning and be each other’s wake-up call, or even fall asleep on the phone together at night. It’ll almost even feel like you guys are with each other. Make FaceTimes fun, too! Set up movie nights, where you guys watch the same movie or show at the same time and can talk all about it together. If you want to get creative, try working out together over FaceTime, and see who can do more pushups or who can do more sit-ups in 30 seconds. You can even make meals together and host a cooking show through the phone. Feel free to get as sweet, silly or romantic as you want. FaceTime makes us feel that much closer to our long-distance loved one.

Keep Each Other Updated

For the most part, when you’re a couple dealing with long-distance, your partner should never have to worry about where you are or what you’re doing. Communication is key in these types of relationships. Heading out with friends? Tell your partner that so they’re not trying to constantly FaceTime you while you’re out, leaving them upset and you annoyed. Tell one another the good and the bad. Did something amazing happen today? Call your boo and tell him! He loves you and chances are seeing you so happy will make his day. Are you upset and need someone to talk to? Don’t leave him out of the bubble just because he’s far away, call him and let him know what’s been going on. You guys should always have an idea what one another is up to, that way there’s no room for miscommunication!

Constant Reminders

Even though you’re in a relationship, being away from each other can feel super lonely. Some people deal with distance harder than others, so it’s really important to make each other feel loved while you’re apart. Constant reminders of your love and affection are sure to put a smile on your boo’s face and even make their day. Girls love good morning texts, and believe it or not, so do guys. Send cute texts about how much you miss and love them, or remind them how beautiful they are to you. Even tell them a memory of them you’ve been thinking about that makes you smile because it definitely will brighten their day as well. I’m not saying to spam their phone with mushy texts, but now and then let them know how you feel! Sending your partner reminders of how much you love and care for them keeps the passion and fire going even when you’re apart.

Surprise Packages

Want to put the biggest smile on your loved one’s face? Send them a cute little gift, or even a letter, in the mail. Mail is so much more thoughtful and personal than any text could ever be. One of my favorite ideas when dating someone far away is to send “Open When…” letters. These are a pack of letters you create for your boyfriend or girlfriend to “Open When You’re Feeling Sad,” “Open When You Need a Laugh,” or even to “Open When You’re Hungry.” Each envelope opens up to a handwritten letter, and sometimes even a cute little surprise. For more on these letters, click here. Another great idea is if you’re loved ones been having a rough day, send them a virtual Starbucks gift card, or to any coffee shop or food joint they love! These are so special to receive, so have fun with it!

Create a Countdown

Most of the time you’re apart, it’s going to feel like forever, even if it’s only a week or two. A great idea is to keep a countdown to the date that you’ll next be together. Set an alert on your phone to send you a notification every day. This will keep you so optimistic when you feel lonely. Seeing “FIVE DAYS!!!!!!!” pop up on your phone is such a nice feeling, less than a week till your with bae! Countdowns make the time apart feel much easier and even pass the time a little bit faster. How many days do you have left ’till you see your favorite person?

Plan Your Visits

Besides looking forward to seeing each other, planning activities to do together gives you another exciting thing to countdown to. Most of the time, couples in long-distance relationships spend long weekends together (if they’re lucky). You want to create memories while you’re with this person. Though snuggling in bed is great and something you should embrace during your time together, you also need to get out of the house and explore together. Some great ideas for weekend activities are to go to the local fair, the beach, have a bonfire, create an “at-home dinner date,” go for a hike, go to the aquarium, and even workout together. You’ll be surprised how many memories you can make in just a few short days together.

Live Your Own Lives

No matter how much you love and miss your boo, you need to live your own life while you’re apart. It is so unhealthy to sit in bed all day every single day and FaceTime or to sit around and wait to talk for your partner to call you. You need your own life too! You can’t love someone else until you truly love yourself. So get a job, go out with your friends, spend time with your family, and keep busy doing you. But of course, don’t be too busy that you ghost your boyfriend or girlfriend and leave them wondering what you’re doing. It’s called balance, and you’ll get the hang of it. It will make your time apart so much more enjoyable! Before you know it, you’ll be back together again.