How To Make a Long Distance Relationship Work

Date: 23-06-2011 2:10 pm (12 years ago) | Author: CharlesAndCharles
[1] 2
- at 23-06-2011 02:10 PM (12 years ago)
(m)
How to Make a Long Distance Relationship Work
If you are willing to work it out, here's how to give it every chance to survive and thrive.
 
 Steps
Ask the important questions at the onset, to make sure you are both clear on the parameters of the relationship. Setting parameters such as naming your relationship (dating, seeing each other, boyfriend-girlfriend, engaged) as well as defining exclusive (limited to one person,) or non-exclusive. These can be difficult and awkward questions to ask, but will save you great heartache and misunderstanding down the line. Example: "Are you open to the possibility of relocating if the relationship should become more serious?" or "What are you looking to get out of the relationship?" Stating your end goal or ideas will allow each person to maintain what they need.
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Consider using Skype video chat calls every day, text messaging, phone calls and email every day. It is important to maintain contact and to be in each other's daily lives as much as possible.
 
Do things together. Defy the distance. As a long distance couple, it's important to do other things together besides the usual phone call. In a long distance relationship, interaction over the phone can become dull in the long run. Incorporating other forms of interaction are important. Just think... People in short-distance relationships do not spend the majority of their time talking, but rather doing things with each other. Try to replicate this by finding things to do together such as watching a TV show or movie simultaneously.
 Communicate in some way every day, more than once if possible. Since you won't be seeing each other, it's important to establish and maintain an emotional connection. These don't always have to be long, in-depth conversations. Tell each other about your little triumphs and tragedies. Ask for advice. Use an instant messenger program or VoIP for real-time chat, or web cams for that visual connection. E-mail is great so make sure you use it, especially if long-distance phone calls put a strain on your budget. Ensure the e-mails are substantive and detailed, it will show that you care enough to put in the time and effort. Write love letters. Send small gifts, cards, or men send flowers for no reason. In this case, quantity is as important as quality. You may discover an advantage over others whose partner is close at hand—you don't take communication for granted! You can set up reminders, including automatically-recurring reminders, for this purpose in calendaring software on your computer or online. This is especially important when you don't have much contact with the other's friends to remember important events such as birthdays.
Take advantage of the benefits a long distance relationship offers: more time with friends and/or family, no arguments over toothpaste caps, the pleasure of seeing your sweetheart again after a long absence, time to mull your options (rather than snapping at your partner impulsively) before you respond to that email s/he wrote that seemed so rude the first time you read it, not being dragged into a bunch of chick flicks, etc. Most important, being far apart gives you a chance to maintain your individuality—something that can get lost in the shuffle when couples spend all their free time together. Here are additional benefits of long distance relationships.
Pursue common interests, even if it means pursuing them apart. If there's a movie you're both interested in seeing, watch it individually and then call each other afterward and talk about it. Read a certain book at the same time. Stargaze while you're on the phone. Set your watches to go off at the same time every day, and synchronize your alarm with that of your partner. Make it a point to think of each other when your watch goes off, and revel in the fact that he or she is thinking about you, too. Find creative ways to bond.
 
Avoid the temptation to be controlling. People have free will and no one can or should control another person. As long as you are both interested in being in the relationship, you will stick with it and distance will not make a difference. As soon as one of you decides the other is not a good match—or someone else is a better match—your relationship ends, whether you live 3000 miles apart, two streets over, or share the same bed with your wedding picture on the wall. You are going to have to trust each other completely if this relationship is going to work.
 
Try challenging each other. This is not the same as being controlling. You may find that you can do things for each other that you couldn't quite find the motivation to do on your own. Perhaps you could motivate yourselves to get some exercise or to cook better or more often. It will give you something to do while you wait to see your partner again, and it will give you both something to strive for and talk about until then.
 
Talk about your future together. Assuming that ultimately you'd want to live together, discussing how you're going to get to that point will help you prove to each other that the relationship is going somewhere and that your efforts and frustrations are not in vain.
 
Remember: Things will get better with time, and even the relationship will become better. Have hope.
 
Visit often. Try to make the time to visit each other as often as possible or as often as your budget permits you to. A relationship cannot thrive if the only thing you have is the phone call. You need to see each other up close and personal every chance you get. The key here is to set up some "rules" about frequency of communication and visits and stick to them. Consistency can help a long-distance relationship survive.
Avoid jealousy and be trusting. One of the easiest ways to destroy a perfectly healthy relationship is to poison it with jealousy and drama. When you start a long distance relationship, you must be realistic of the difficulties ahead. It always helps if you go in a relationship with the idea that everyone is innocent and worthy of trust until proven otherwise. Don't fall in the trap of interrogating your partner every time he/she decides to go out for a drink with people you haven't met or he/she didn't get back to you right away when you called and left a message. Just because you are in a long-distance relationship doesn't mean your lives will pause. Your partner will naturally have a social life where he/she lives and so should you. Sure, it helps to have your eyes open and not be totally naive, but being overly suspicious is unhealthy for you and your relationship too. You should both maintain your social activity and be happy with yourselves.
Be positive. Staying positive and not focusing on the negative aspects of a long-distance relationship is essential to keeping your relationship blooming and your partner content. Being away from your sweetie is not all bad news. Use the opportunity of personal time to pursue your interests and hobbies as well as your career objectives. Another positive point is that long distance dating pushes both of you to be more creative, to communicate better since you don't have "face-to-face" time and to test (and express) your feelings. As long as you see the long-distance relationship as a temporary state, you will keep your chin up and transmit that feeling of security and happiness to your partner too.
Give them a personal object of yours so in a time of need, when they miss you, they are able to hold on to something that once belonged to you. This will provide comfort, happiness, and the thought of being with you.
Work towards a balanced relationship between partners. A relationship must be built on strong foundations of trust, understanding and determination to make it work. The key is to ensure that an equal amount of effort is made by both parties. The two partners should be reasonable about their expectations and willing to cooperate so that the relationship can lead to a happy ending. If these parameters are taken care of, you have nothing to worry about. But don't forget to ask some questions because if you don't, your partner may start to think that you're losing interest.
 
Create your own set of relationship standards that both of you have mutually agreed upon. That creates a common goal for you to work towards, developing a strong relationship whether you are together or apart. For example, agree to disagree, accept each other as you are, practice trust and honesty, strive towards compromise and self-sacrifice, seek spiritual unity, and maintain open communication.
 
17
Remember that you're still in a relationship. You HAVE to be there for your partner. If your partner is ever in trouble, or hurt, or whatever, you have to be there for them.Make sure you are available to them so that they can reach you if they need you. If they end up dealing with everything alone, they will eventually not need you. And sometimes, distance permitting of course, that means being actually, physically there for them.
 
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Warnings
Remember, every kind of relationship takes hard work and dedication to your loved one or partner, whether it's long distance or proximal. If you and your partner are willing to take these steps, then expect bumps and turns in the road. These bumps and turns will only help contribute towards a relationship.
Long distance relationships are not for the faint of heart. They can be very trying, but so can proximal relationships.
Long distance relationships can and will test you and your partner; you need to trust him/her entirely, lest paranoia play a major part in the demise of your relationship.
Long distance relationships are difficult, as you are emotionally attached to a person you cannot touch or comfort and this can wreak havoc with your emotions. You may have negative thoughts or feelings that are not true, you may doubt your love feelings, or, because of some fights over the phone, you may feel that you don't feel the way you did before for your partner. But try to keep these feelings in perspective as distance can aggravate them.
Remember, fights are a part of any relationship, and it's up to you to deal with it or to succumb to it.
When you are alone, take out time to see the photos of your love, any gift that he/she has given, or letters written. At night, before sleeping, try to recollect those wonderful moments.
Try to make every possible effort from your side. Initially, love/passion can be the driving force. As time goes on, it's commitment that is most important.
It's easier to get into arguments in a long-distance relationship, because you can't always discern what someone's actual tone is through text. It's also a lot easier to say hurtful things when you're not face-to-face, but the words can hurt just the same. Take special care to watch how you interpret their words (for it might not be what they meant), and what you say when you're angry.

Posted: at 23-06-2011 02:10 PM (12 years ago) | Newbie
- MissyBarbie at 23-06-2011 02:11 PM (12 years ago)
(f)
Get a Life >>>>>>>> Angry Angry Angry Angry Cheesy Cheesy
Posted: at 23-06-2011 02:11 PM (12 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- diplomatik at 23-06-2011 02:11 PM (12 years ago)
(f)
OMG ...dude u're not serious  Roll Eyes Roll Eyes Roll Eyes Roll Eyes Roll Eyes

Posted: at 23-06-2011 02:11 PM (12 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Reply
- dirtykid at 23-06-2011 02:12 PM (12 years ago)
(m)
Pretty too long like a long distance relationship reading.

Posted: at 23-06-2011 02:12 PM (12 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- bittersweet at 23-06-2011 02:14 PM (12 years ago)
(f)
Delicate and risky issue!

Posted: at 23-06-2011 02:14 PM (12 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- dirtykid at 23-06-2011 02:17 PM (12 years ago)
(m)
For sure, who doesn't know that should know by now, Only 5 out of 100 could be positive.

Posted: at 23-06-2011 02:17 PM (12 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- bittersweet at 23-06-2011 02:18 PM (12 years ago)
(f)
Quote from: dirtykid on 23-06-2011 02:17 PM
For sure, who doesn't know that should know by now, Only 5 out of 100 could be positive.

And that's in an optimistic percentage!

Posted: at 23-06-2011 02:18 PM (12 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- waco at 23-06-2011 02:20 PM (12 years ago)
(m)
this poster deserves a summarised slap for this long thing

Posted: at 23-06-2011 02:20 PM (12 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- dirtykid at 23-06-2011 02:22 PM (12 years ago)
(m)
Quote from: bittersweet on 23-06-2011 02:18 PM
Quote from: dirtykid on 23-06-2011 02:17 PM
For sure, who doesn't know that should know by now, Only 5 out of 100 could be positive.

And that's in an optimistic percentage!

Of course, with such percentage one need to know that the chances are very slim.

Posted: at 23-06-2011 02:22 PM (12 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- bittersweet at 23-06-2011 02:23 PM (12 years ago)
(f)
Yup,so...better no!

Posted: at 23-06-2011 02:23 PM (12 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- frayobkk at 23-06-2011 02:35 PM (12 years ago)
(m)
i guess i most be intresting when i hav free time i read till then

Posted: at 23-06-2011 02:35 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Reply
- divineproject at 23-06-2011 03:02 PM (12 years ago)
(f)
Long distance relationship?........hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm>>>>>>>>>>>>>I pass

Posted: at 23-06-2011 03:02 PM (12 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- waco at 23-06-2011 03:07 PM (12 years ago)
(m)
 Grin

Posted: at 23-06-2011 03:07 PM (12 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- frayobkk at 23-06-2011 03:09 PM (12 years ago)
(m)
pass go where

Posted: at 23-06-2011 03:09 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Reply
- diplomatik at 23-06-2011 03:09 PM (12 years ago)
(f)
Quote from: dirtykid on 23-06-2011 02:22 PM
Quote from: bittersweet on 23-06-2011 02:18 PM
Quote from: dirtykid on 23-06-2011 02:17 PM
For sure, who doesn't know that should know by now, Only 5 out of 100 could be positive.

And that's in an optimistic percentage!

Of course, with such percentage one need to know that the chances are very slim.

but ours is working just fine sweety  Tongue Cheesy Cheesy

Posted: at 23-06-2011 03:09 PM (12 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Reply
- sexweezy at 23-06-2011 03:17 PM (12 years ago)
(m)
 Grin Grin
Posted: at 23-06-2011 03:17 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Reply
- diplomatik at 23-06-2011 03:19 PM (12 years ago)
(f)
 Grin Grin Grin Cheesy

Posted: at 23-06-2011 03:19 PM (12 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Reply
- dirtykid at 23-06-2011 03:23 PM (12 years ago)
(m)
Quote from: diplomatik on 23-06-2011 03:09 PM
Quote from: dirtykid on 23-06-2011 02:22 PM
Quote from: bittersweet on 23-06-2011 02:18 PM
Quote from: dirtykid on 23-06-2011 02:17 PM
For sure, who doesn't know that should know by now, Only 5 out of 100 could be positive.

And that's in an optimistic percentage!

Of course, with such percentage one need to know that the chances are very slim.

but ours is working just fine sweety  Tongue Cheesy Cheesy

Yeah sweetie, because we belong among the 5, out of 100.... come that side small i wan hear your voice, I dey miss am beary beary much  Kiss Kiss Kiss

Posted: at 23-06-2011 03:23 PM (12 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- diplomatik at 23-06-2011 03:26 PM (12 years ago)
(f)
aight...be there shortly  Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss

Posted: at 23-06-2011 03:26 PM (12 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Reply
- dirtykid at 23-06-2011 03:27 PM (12 years ago)
(m)
Quote from: diplomatik on 23-06-2011 03:26 PM
aight...be there shortly  Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss

 Kiss Kiss Kiss

Posted: at 23-06-2011 03:27 PM (12 years ago) | Hero
Reply
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