Are you in a long-distance relationship? Read this guide with 4 tips on how to successfully cope with being away from your partner.
Long-distance relationships are hard to do, they require patience, understanding, acceptance, and time. Some people are made to be in a long-distance relationship, as they can handle the challenges of being apart and not seeing each other for a long time, while others need real-time affection and quality time.
This guide is not only for couples living in different countries, states, or even continents but also for those who are separated by different cities or time zones. These type of relationships needs a different approach than if you live together.
After having spent a year in a long-distance relationship and having friends who have been in one for over two years, I have gathered some of our best tips for a successful, functional, and healthy long-distance relationship.
Long-Distance Relationship Tips
Acceptance
The first and most important thing is accepting the situation as it is. You cannot do anything about the situation you are in except, accepting it and do the best out of it. Dwelling on not being together psychically will only lead to sad and negative emotions and potential conflicts due to its effect on your behavior and attitude. Focus on making the most of the situation and maintaining a positive outlook.
Understanding and Trust
Building understanding and trust is one of the fundamentals of a long-distance relationship. Avoid being over-controlling or setting unnecessary boundaries. Doing so might lead to your partner starting to bend the truth about what they are doing because you are restricting them. In the end what is important is to always have honesty, understanding – even if you don’t understand try to understand them – and trust that your partner would never do anything to harm you.
Space
I know this one might be hard for some, I found it sometimes hard to give my partner space when he didn’t answer me for a long period, but it is vital to give each other some space sometimes. What is important to understand is that you both have your separate lives, even if you are living together, you might have different friends or jobs. This means that your everyday life compared to your partner’s might not completely align. It is okay to feel frustrated when communication is lacking. It is very normal when you care about someone, but what is important is to discuss your feelings to avoid misunderstandings.
Communication and Priorization
Effective communication is fundamental to a healthy long-distance relationship. Even though it sometimes might be hard to communicate with eachother, the solution to the communication problems are to communicate about them. I know it sounds strange but honestly, if you from the beginning communicate that this is what I want and what I need from you, then both you and your partner understand each other. This not only helps with your relationship, but it helps your partner not overthink or take things personally. Be open about your needs, and concerns and prioritize regular, honest communication to prevent misunderstandings.
Have these four important tips in mind as you navigate the challenges of a long-distance relationship more effectively. Always remember, that every relationship is unique, and it is important not to start comparing yours to others. With patience, understanding, and open communication, you can build a strong and lasting connection with your partner regardless of the distance.
