Long distance relationships used to mean writing hand-written letters that you sent in the mail. Today, thanks to technological advancements, we have Skype, text, and Snapchat. Although these apps are useful, the same struggles of long distance still stand true.
While is may seem difficult, it is possible to make things work between you and your boyfriend or girlfriend as long as you both are willing to make some major changes to your behavior.
Take a look at these five things you need to know before entering a long distance relationship in order to go the distance:
5. You will make a lot of Sacrifices.
Part of the reason why long distance relationships are so challenging is that if you want it to work, the relationship has to be your number one priority at all times. Whether you’re sacrificing sleep, time with friends, or money, you will eventually run into a situation where sacrifices are necessary.
Being prepared for this, and keeping the end-game of being together in mind will help you come to terms with missing out on that girl’s night
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4. Your schedule will be a delicate science.
I seriously once told my college advisor that I couldn’t take a class because it interfered with talking to my boyfriend. She was more concerned with my graduating, while I was only concerned with making my 16,000 mile long distance relationship work.
Whether there’s a 16-hour time difference, or none at all, it’s always hard to find 30 minutes to an hour of time every day that you can set aside to talk with your partner. Once you do find a time that works for you both, it’s important to prioritize your to-do list so you will realistically be able to make it work.
3. Trust is key.
There is no room in a long distance relationship for petty games, and trust issues. By agreeing to be in this type of relationship, you are accepting the fact that you have little to no control over your partner’s actions, and the sooner you come to terms with this, the better. If you try to control each other, you’ll just drive each other crazy.
All you can do is make each other a priority, and stick to your schedule (how romantic, I know) as much as possible. You’ll be able to tell if the effort is one sided, and that’s when it’s OK to be concerned.
2. There will be a lot of traveling.
Depending on how far away you are to your significant other, you may be traveling to another city every month. If the distance is further, you may not be able to afford to travel so frequently, but traveling is part of the long distance territory.
Finding time to see each other will be one of the most taxing (physically, emotionally, and monetarily) parts of the relationship, but when you do finally have a plan to see each other again, it helps take the pressure off of the situation. Seeing each other for the first time in months will also make you so much more appreciative of each other, and you’ll learn to never take the small things, like sitting on the same couch together, for granted.
1. People are going to assume the relationship won’t make it.
I get it. Things are stacked against us, and the statistics of long distant relationships lasting aren’t good. But no relationship is a guarantee, and we knew that from the start. Hearing these negative comments will never be pleasant, but try to take them with a grain of salt. No one can really know the ins and outs of your relationship but you and your partner, so as long as you both are making an equal effort there’s no need to get defensive.
Have you ever been in a long distance relationship? Share your experience with us in the comments below.
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