Long Distance Relationship Advice

Maintaining long term relationship can be difficult when you and your loved ones are in 2 different worlds. Below are 4 key main points to help you maintaining your long distance relationship.

1. Communicate with your Partner
Communication is key in any relationship, and before your partner goes overseas, sit down with him and list out the various way of communications – whether it’s by phone, email, instant messenger, or Skype. Conversing through a phone used to be a popular, but expensive mode of communication. With IDD rates falling, calls are becoming more affordable – there’s no excuse for missing a chat! Also, there are VOIP, instant messenger where you can view your partner through a webcam. Therefore, it’s very important to have a schedule where both of you agree to communicate. By sharing your daily happenings, it will forge a closer bond between you and your Significant Other.

It is however, important to bear in mind that you should NEVER communicate for the sake of communicating. If communication boils down to a routine or an obligation, your relationship could be well headed towards a burn-out.

2. Remember important dates
Amidst the busy lifestyle, it’s always important to remember dates special to both of you- birthdays, anniversaries, festivals – send a sweet message, call, or you can even send a small but meaningful gift to delight your partner. At times, stick to the traditional letter writing. Research has shown that letter writing amplifies the effort and thought put in by the letter writer – as more time is needed to write, decorate and mail the letter or card. Email just signals plain cold efficiencies – lacking of the warmth and close to heart factor of the effects of cards and letters. Such intermittent surprises will bring in excitement into an otherwise lonely relationship.

3. Physical, not virtual

Often, communicating virtually through the net or via the phone is insufficient, especially if the overseas stay span into years. Meeting at intervals throughout the LDR will enable both parties to catch up. A kiss and a hug – physical affirmation of love will melt longing and loneliness. Planning for your next trip will inject excitement and create anticipation for the future.

4. Managing Expectations

Physical separation, constant longing, and different time zones will cause a dent to the relationship to a certain effect. The great news is that you can minimize this by adjusting your expectation as well as that of your Significant Other. Recognize the fact that immediate response to phone calls or messages may not always happen. A long distance relationship is NOT the normal relationship. Besides time and devotion, you also need to inject practicality. Do not expect the other partner to engage in lengthy three-hours long phone calls everyday. Communicate frequently with your partners to ensure that you are meeting each other’s expectations.

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