3 Tips That You Will Need To Maintain A Long-distance Relationship

Long-distance relationships can either make or break a relationship. Being apart of a long-distance relationship is no easy feat. It can feel like a lot to carry while trying to balance everything you might have on your plate. Some couples can work through the distance and come out on the other side, while others cannot do so. 

Successful long-distance relationships have become a bit more common to find today, with access to things like FaceTime and Skype. However, compared to unsuccessful long-distance relationships, there are fewer successful cases. When there is an unsuccessful case, you might hear the person blame the distance as the reason that they broke up.

Things like, "The distance is just too far" or "We'll get back together once we see each other again." Statements along those lines are common cover-ups for the actual reasons behind the relationship ending. Now that by no means distance can't be a legitimate reason, it's just more often than not; it is just an excuse rather than a reason. 

One of the many things that get overlooked when you begin a long-distance relationship is the distance itself. Many people tend not to comprehend the profound changes that need to be made when it comes to a long-distance relationship. 

It's a simple thing that gets continuously overlooked. Some relationships aren't able to recover because they thought it would be easier than it actually is. That's another misconception about long-distance relationships. That is only one singular hurdle to overcome. 

Yes, it is one hurdle to overcome when taken into broader terms, but specific smaller hurdles get brought along with it. The hurdles seemingly appear after you thought you were done with any of them and came from nowhere. 

Distance in a relationship tends to add fire to the flame when it comes to problems. This can be especially present in relationships where you start in which you can consistently see your partner and having to switch to a long-distance relationship. Couples from high school attending different colleges are prime examples of this. 

Things start well enough in relationships like this, but then you and your partner begin meeting new friends, friends that might take your partner away from you. This, in turn, forms trust issues and jealousy that start to creep into the relationship and the things you say to your partner. These things lead to arguments that cannot be easily solved through FaceTime and texting as they could when you were face-to-face with your partner. You then think about how those new friends are the shoulder your partner cries on in comfort rather than yours. 

College isn't just the only reason that can spark long-distance relationships. Things like social media, dating apps, and work are common reasons for a relationship to go long-distance. 

People meet through dating apps and social media all the time. If you take a romantic liking to someone you meet online, that person might be on the other side of the country or world, for that matter. Many of the issues stay the same as they would with a long-distance college relationship, but in these two cases, there's a chance you haven't even met this person face-to-face before pursuing a relationship. That might amplify your feelings of insecurity or jealousy even more.

However many reasons may start long-distance relationships, the fact of the matter is still the same. They are a relationship. Long-distance or not, every relationship will go through rough spots, even if you're with the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. It's natural, and it happens, and long-distance relationships are no exception.

Despite the fact, you might think if you have a terrible fight while long-distance that your relationship will be instantly over. That is not the case at all. There are ways to get through even the toughest of times with your partner. 

Here are 3 tips that will help you maintain a loving relationship with your partner in a long distance relationship:

1. Communication With Your Partner

If you and your partner cannot communicate effectively, your relationship is doomed to fail. Communication is a fundamental part of any relationship, let alone long-distance. Like I mentioned before, being long-distance tends to add even more strains to problems with your partner. Communication is no different. 

Communicating properly and effectively is the sole foundation for keeping steady ground during long-distance. If you let insecurities build up inside of your mind without being addressed, then they are bound to be brought when you argue with your partner. 

It would be best if you were honest and truthful about how you feel with your partner when you are long-distance. Just because you are far away from your partner doesn't mean you guys can't have hard conversations. However, there are always two sides to the coin. Excessive communication can push your partner away, and nobody wants that. Ensure you and your partner have a healthy amount of proper communication, and it should make things a bit easier.

Communication is the foundation of any relationship, and it's what keeps long-distance relationships afloat. 

2. Do Things Together

Technology is a wonderful thing, and it allows us to do so many things like FaceTime or stream TV shows and movies. These types of things also allow long-distance couples to do things together too.

Pick a TV show on Netflix that neither of you has watched and stream it together at the same time two or three times a week. Go online shopping, send each other presents, and pick one night to watch a movie together through FaceTime or Skype. 

Take funny online quizzes together and see how your results vary from one another. You can also plan for your future together, if, of course, you are on the same page in that matter, by looking for an apartment or house together and trying to set a date where you can see each other again. 

Things like this can keep things fun and less mundane when it comes to being so far away from your partner. 

3. Make Plans To Meet Up

When you're in a long-distance relationship, obviously, you're not going to be able to meet up with your partner every single weekend. However, that doesn't mean that you can't go and see them for a weekend every once in and while, depending on your schedule.

Obviously, if you're in a long-distance relationship, there is a reason behind it, whether it's college, work, or through an online meet-up. Sometimes life will get in the way, and you might not be able to see each other for weeks, maybe even months at a time. However, that doesn't mean you should stop trying to see them.

It's okay to plan months ahead of time in order to see your partner. It's necessary to see your partner. It can also help sort out any issues you might have ran into before seeing each other again. Being able to meet up can help sort out the kinks, and you can potentially say what you wanted to over the phone without the worries of starting a fight.

Being able to see your person after so long apart is such an amazing feeling to have. It's the best part about saying goodbye and being apart for so long. It makes seeing each other again all the more sweeter. 

These are only a few of many tips that can help with long-distance relationships. Everyone's relationship is different, and that's okay. In order to make your long-distance relationship work, you need to talk with your partner and see what tips and tricks will help work for your relationship. 

Whether your long-distance relationship pans out or not, know you're one step closer to meeting the person you'll be with forever.