8 Tips for Long Distance Relationships
My boyfriend and I met in college and spent three school years together. Back then we could barely get through summer vacations apart. Now as he finishes his masters and I'm several miles away, we've learned a lot about how to get through long distance. We're definitely not perfect, but here are some tips we put together for you all based on what we've done and what we're working on.
1. Online PDA
We live in a tech/social media era where we spend a lot of time on the web connecting with friends and browsing through viral videos and funny articles. When you and your significant other are long distance, it is really special when you're able to incorporate social media into your relationship. Whether you surprise them with a #womancrushwednesday or a #mancrushmonday post, or mention them in a Twitter or Facebook post, it's special when you get a notification from the person you love. One might call it the modern version of PDA - showing everyone you're connected to online who you love.
Another great thing about social media is the ability to start messaging threads to send things to each other. My boyfriend and I share funny content with each other all the time and it's a great way to stay connected other than texting all day long.
2. Scheduled and unexpected calls
Communication is really important in any relationship, but it becomes even more important when you're in a long distance relationship. My boyfriend and I have Skype dates almost every night. We just talk about how our day was and then maybe watch some shows together and it's great because we get to see each other. It is important that you have scheduled days to talk to each other every week to stay consistent. But during the day, every now and then, we call each other and it's nice just to chat with him when we both have some free time. Those unexpected calls are always special.
3. Plan activities you can do together
Talking on the phone or over video can get old when you're doing it all the time, so you need to keep things interesting. That's why my boyfriend and I do activities over Skype. We watch shows together, play question games, Heads Up (you can find this in your App Store), truth or dare, and so much more. Be creative and come up with something to do with your significant other that keeps your conversations interesting and fun.
4. Plan trips to see each other
Yes!! The best part of being in a long distance relationship is being able to count down the days until you get to see each other again. You should always have a date planned for when you both can see each other! My boyfriend and I just got a chance to see each other and I will see him again in May. When we see each other we always plan to do a bunch of things to make use of the moments we have together. So choose a date, save up, and make some plans to see each other soon!
5. Send each other things
This is a really cute idea and you can get really creative with this. You can send letters, small gifts, clothes, anything you want. I've sent my boyfriend letters and gifts in the past, and he's sent me small care packages with a T-shirt of his for me to sleep in, and flowers in the past too. No matter what you send, it's special to get surprised with mail from your significant other.
6. Keep special traditions
My boyfriend and I always watched shows together in the evenings either at my place or at his, and so now via Skype we keep that same tradition by watching shows together. It's important to make an effort to continue to do the things that made you both happy before you were long distance. And if you were always in a long distance relationship with them, you can start traditions together and then continue them when you're able to be in the same area. Although it's nice to change things up in a relationship, you should always make an effort to continue to do the things that work!
7. Know their love language
There are lots of books and online quizzes that will help you and your significant other figure out what your love languages are. If you've never heard of a love language, it's essentially the way that you feel loved. For example, my two love languages are "affection" and "words of affirmation" so I feel most loved when my boyfriend shows affection or when he tells me how much he loves me. It is important to know what your significant other's love languages are so that you can find ways to fulfill them while you're away. Making sure your significant other feels loved is really important when you don't get to spend quality time together every week like most couples do.
8. Live a balanced life
I've saved the best for last! Take care of yourself! Being in a long distance relationship gives you the opportunity to take a look at yourself and make sure that you are taking care of your spiritual life, your confidence, your career and your health. It's true when they say that you have to love yourself in order to be able to love someone else.
I hope this was helpful! Long distance relationships are hard but if you're both in it for the long run everything will be okay! Check out the Boyfriend Tag video that I recorded and meet my boyfriend Jordyn!
- MGL