The answer is an absolute YES! It is very much possible to not just survive in a long-distance relationship but utilize the circumstances to your advantage to strengthen your bond and create a stronger connection.
There are many pros and cons of being in a long-distance relationship. To begin with, every relationship needs commitment, be it long-distance or short. While you are moving forward, you need to establish in your mind whether you are aiming for a long-term or short-term relationship. With that perspective in mind, you need to invest your emotions and time and then accordingly align your life goals.
While it is more on the plate to work on with long-distance relationships, many couples have been able to thrive through it and you can as well. If you want to make sure the relationship stays strong, this article is a sure read for you.
Although numerous aspects need to be addressed when nurturing long distance relationship, here are the essential tips you need to follow:
Set Expectations From The Get Go:
You might assume your partner has the same set of expectations or you might think they value the same things you do; it is very important to share it verbally rather than risking it with a flawed assumption. For instance, who is expected to make sacrifices in their career once they are offered geographically distant jobs? Or if there should be criteria, what would they be? Even the most assumed ones for instance does your partner want to have children eventually? These are big questions that should not be left to figure out for later.
Other than that, there are other daily life expectations regarding whether you are comfortable about your partner going for bar nights with groups. Discuss everything. Relish the relief of saving yourself from the unceremonious turmoil of questioning your partner later and worse yet trying to figure it out through indirect conversations.
Setting expectations from the beginning of the relationship can save you a lot of pain. Long-distance relationship requires more sacrifice; therefore it is all the more important to have this conversation from the start.
It may seem unromantic, but having this essential heart-to-heart does nothing but signal to your partner positively about how seriously you take them. It will strengthen your connection and foster more trust as you go deeper into the relationship.
Embrace Technology:
Gone are the days when moving cities meant saying goodbye forever. Fast forward 20 years, moving cities start with loved ones sharing the route of the trip live, upon reaching a quick video call and a care basket awaiting welcome courtesy from loved ones back home. Long-distance relationship no long means feeling disconnected. You do, however, need to make a conscious effort to embrace what technology has to offer to make your relationship work.
Where technology has made our life face paced and self-absorbing, it has allowed us to bridge distances. People stay connected no matter which distant corners of the world they might be.
A good advantage long-distance couples have is the restriction on resolving conflicts through written text or voice notes. Usually, in rows, each one is consumed by expressing their hurt or perspective and might not fully internalize the other partners' feelings. The heat of the moment makes it difficult to understand what the partner is trying to communicate. Many couples find it easier to resolve conflicts using text messaging to get their message across without interruption. It works to your advantage. It builds great communication skills between you and your partner.
Make Periodic Visits:
Do aim for periodic visits, even if it is possible for as short as a day visit. Even though technology may allow you to stay visibly connected, it cannot replace the importance of connecting physically. It addresses many emotional issues that are building up over time, creating a feeling of doubt in your partners’ minds regarding their worth in your life.
Many couples who have been through phases of long-distance relationships rank this advice as the number one tip for keeping the spark alive in the relationship.
Stay Honest:
There will be times you might think a casual fib is harmless. It might not be all that important for you but in case it circles back, it will do more damage than it ever held the potential of. It is imperative to come out clean from the start.
Do not invest your time or energy in covering up or hiding anything from your partner, you are just laying grounds for disaster. If you and your partner decide to avoid a meetup at the club after work and you end up going. It’s better to come clean, share your feelings and mention what your partner’s feelings mean to you. Remember honesty goes a long way.
No one is perfect, but honesty is something your partner is not only going to value a lot more than you know but is going to save you from a lot of fruitless arguments in the long run.
Talk About The Future Together:
I have to admit, at times, it can get dreary not to have your significant other next to you in moments when you need them.
Sometimes, not having a partner physically present for a long duration can be a dreadfully depressing situation. However, there is something that can be done to mitigate the feeling of helplessness.
According to a recent study conducted by the National Academy of Science (PNAS), it is established that talking and planning the future of the relationship allows couples to have a more meaningful connection with each other. It makes the immediate present feel a little less bleak. It launches you on a bigger perspective with the knowledge that you are working towards common goals and that your personal life has direction.
The biggest advantage of a Long distance relationship is that it allows you to find a deeper connection with your partner, rather than being based on physical attraction. The relationships that are based on lust will find nothing in the relationship to pursue. Distance will allow you to create long-lasting and meaningful connections with your partner foremost before deepening the connection physically. So you're in for a good start!
If you feel your partner needs a little cheering up from you. Be sure to head on to this article to get ideas
RELATED: How To Make Your Partner Feel Special In A Long-Distance Relationship
I hope you were able to gain something precious from the above article. Be sure to let us know your thoughts and feedback in the comments.
We would love to hear about your experiences.
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