Keys To Empower Couples To Maintain Strong Long-Distance Relationships

Jan 11, 2021 by apost team

While most of us try our best to be practical when looking for someone to share our lives with, love doesn't always think in the same terms. Maybe you've met someone on vacation with whom you had an instant spark, or perhaps a career opportunity means you will have to move away for a while. Whatever the reason might be, committing to a long-distance relationship is both admirable and difficult, and requires much hard work from both parties to make sure they're a success. Read on to see what we found to be some of the essential rules for keeping a long-distance relationship successful! 

While that rule applies to every relationship, it has an extra level of meaning for couples who choose to go long-distance. Being far away from your significant other would make anybody feel lonely, so staying committed can genuinely come as a struggle. 

The best way to avoid any possible falls of judgment is to ensure both parties in the relationship are honest and transparent with one another, making sure that everyone is on the same page. Commitment is a promise that both you and your partner need to make to one another, so discussing and voicing your expectations out loud from the get-go is absolutely crucial. It would be best if you were honest with yourself, too, and frankly think about whether you are capable of committing to a long-distance relationship before jumping head-on into one. 

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This one might seem like an obvious one, but regular communication – both literal and emotional – is vital to keep the flame alive while your partner is away. Try to keep up daily calls and text throughout the day to keep your partner a constant part of your life, even if they aren't physically there to share your life experiences with. 
If you are keeping up with daily calls, try doing them in the evening to discuss how each of your days was.  

Make sure they are the first ones you reach out to when you have big news to share and make it a priority to ask them about their own life as well! The distance between you two makes the risk of growing apart even greater, so keeping up with that connection should be a top priority. 

Long-distance relationships are hard work, and you owe it to your partner to make sure they are always your priority. That means you need to make time for them when they need it, as they should do for you.

 Make sure you schedule calls for special days like birthdays or holidays that you're forced to spend apart, and maybe even schedule weekly video-chat date nights. Take the opportunity to get dressed for the other, cook up something nice, and enjoy one another's company. 

It's also important to be available for them when they need you to be, so try to make yourself available for them to the best of your abilities.

Doing much else other than talking on the phone or texting with your significant other might seem like the only thing one can do when in a long-distance relationship – but a little creativity can make the communication a bit more fun! 

Think simple; what are some of the interests you might have in common? For example, if you both enjoy reading, then think about books you would enjoy reading and exchanging your thoughts, theories, and opinions! Kind of like a book club, but for two. 

Another solution would be to search for games you could play online. The internet is full of various fun activities you can do together with just your computer or smartphone, so go ahead and search for something you guys could find fun!

The loneliness that often comes with long-distance relationships can lead some to seek warmth in the arms of another. That can be especially true if they've just had an argument with their significant other. The trick is to identify those times you might feel more prone to a temptation –– such as just after a fight or when you are feeling emotional –– and avoid going out to a bar or speaking to someone who might have ulterior motives, like an ex. 

It's also human to feel tempted in certain situations, so it pays to be honest with yourself about where those feelings might be coming from. If they're benign or just physical, then you probably don't have anything to worry about. If, however, that temptation comes as a result of a deeper problem, then you should think about whether staying in the relationship is the right thing to do for both you and your partner. 

The simplest of phrases can have a significant impact on a relationship – especially when it comes to expressing your love for one another! It's human for both parties to feel a bit insecure about the status of a long-distance relationship, so reminding one another the reason you've chosen to stay together despite the distance is a must. 

Remember that whenever you might feeling down about the relationship, your partner might be too. Even just a little "I love you, and I wish you were here," can make a world of difference. 

You could even make it a habit to send them random messages of love throughout the day to remind them you miss them or wish them a good day!

This can mean both short- and long-term goals. Knowing when you will be able to see each other can give you something to look forward to while setting an ultimate goal can make the long-distance relationship all the more worthwhile. 

Making plans for when you both can finally be together in the same place again can mean thinking about what this person truly means to you. Are you planning on making a move to be with them? Would they do that for you? And when that does finally happen, will you be defining your relationship differently? Make sure you have an honest discussion about these questions with your partner to make sure you are both on the same page. 

Have you ever been in a long-distance relationship? What are your secrets to keeping the flame alive? Let us know in the comments, and make sure you pass this along to your friends and family!