What are some things to do to make a long distance relationship easier?

As per my previous post, I thought I would provide some tips on how to successfully have a long-distance relationship as opposed to just answering if one can work. Of course, a long-distance relationship can work, but work is exactly what it will take. There are also tons of other things that you can do to make it easier for not only yourself, but your partner as well.

If you haven’t read my previous post, I definitely suggest doing so because there is a lot of information about what you need to do within yourself in order to make the long distance part of your relationship successful.

Here are three things that are readily available for you to make things easier!!

Online Courses: Taking an online course can help free up your schedule so you can visit one another more often. Let’s say you have one class on Friday but your partner lives too far to only have Saturday and Sunday free? How’s this sound… turn that class into an online course and then you have Friday, Saturday and Sunday! As per my experience, I do not have an option to visit my boyfriend as he is across the world and if you are in this position as well, I still encourage taking an online college course because you can do that whenever and won’t have to miss out on a Skype date as your partner signs online and you have to run out the door to class!

Which brings me onto my next topic. Oh the wonderful world of technology! If it wasn’t for Skype, where would I be. I don’t even think I’d be alive! I would have died from heartache long ago from missing someone! Skype is a free service which allows you to video chat with anyone – anywhere! Get you and your partner separate accounts and plan “dates” to meet online. Desperate times call for desperate measures! If it wasn’t for Skype, I’d be 6 months in on not seeing my man – or hearing his voice. Ew, brutal! I don’t even want to think about that! Get. A. Skype. Account! Trust me!

Postcards, letters and packages! Send one another these things often! It is always nice to have something physical to hold onto. I know for myself, I have a great big stuffed animal that is wearing my boyfriends sweater and I sprayed his cologne on it before he left. It is a nice “filler” for cuddle movie dates, until my honey can come home. When I’ve had a rough week of missing him, the best thing is to find a package on the front door step. I personally feel like this is such an important thing to keep the relationship alive, active and exciting. I would recommend this more than Skype… did I really just say that? Yup! I did!

Remember to keep your assumptions to yourself. This will avoid stupid fights that will only cause tension that is hard to fix…. being miles apart. Don’t sweat the small stuff! Having boundaries and rules will also help contribute to the “no fighting” approach.

Have fun and enjoy the excitement of being apart and looking forward to that time you can see each other again. It can work, as long as you both are committed to making it! People have survived long distance relationships all along – even with absolutely no technology.

My Girlfriend and I are going to school in different states. Will it work?

So you’re battling the big old long distance relationship monster and you have no idea what to do? I know it can suck, but if you both really want it to work – it can! Hense the word, both.

Since you are considering staying with your partner despite the long distance factor, I am going to go ahead and assume that you guys intend on being together for ever. The reason why I am saying this is because if it is just another fling, or you know you do not want to spend an eternity together, get it over with now. If this is the case, why put yourself and your partner through misery if you know that this isn’t what you want forever, only just for now. End it now. Do it for yourself and for him/her.

H0wever, if you have both openly talked about spending your life together and are both serious in your relationship and plan to have a future together, then a long distance relationship can definitely work. On the bright side, if you both know you want to spend your lives together, you will feel more secure and know that this is just a hump in your journey together, right? Once school is done, you’ll be together finally and no more long, drawn-out distances.

Most importantly, you both need to have trust and open communication. Providing one another reassurance and security can be hard when you are not physically together, so you must rely on your words. You may think you say it enough, but “I love you” and “I miss you” can never be said too many times – especially if you’re miles away from one another.

It is very important to keep him/her in your daily life as much as possible. Talk daily and share stories about each others day. Take pictures for one another of your school, dorm room, even your favourite teacher who is teaching you how to become a cop. Sharing the little things can make a huge difference and provide astonishing amounts of security and the feeling of involvement within one anothers life.

If you want it to work, then it can – as long as you do just that…. work. It will take time, effort, commitment and honesty. You can decide if the dedication you will have to put forth is worth it.

I hate to sound cliche, but in this case (and as it is in most), it is the smallest things that count!