Movies have a habit of romanticizing long-distance relationships. While the idea of two beautiful souls reuniting, in the end, is enough to keep us glued to the screen, the reality of a long-distance relationship isn’t all it’s made out to be. As if time differences and expensive air tickets weren’t already a challenge, now we find ourselves in the midst of a pandemic to add to the already complicated situation. Thanks to COVID-19 you may have also found yourself in an unplanned long-distance relationship.
Although things may seem a bit difficult during this time, the good news is that the movies weren’t leading us on. There are ways to make a long-distance relationship work no matter how far you are apart. Here are a few helpful ways to keep the flame burning during the pandemic.
Take A Virtual Stroll Together
It may sound silly at first, but trust us, this one’s a winner. Next time you are taking the dog out for a walk, video call your partner and take them along on your stroll. The best situation is to take a walk together where you can view each other’s scenery. Plan a day in advance to make sure your schedules line up. This will give you quality time together without any distractions from the tv, work, or other people you may live with. Walking is also a great way to get exercise and clear your minds of the pressures from the day.
Be On The Same Page About Communication
The key to a successful relationship with anyone is communication. At the moment, the lines are a bit blurred when it comes to time. In some parts of the country, there are still strict regulations regarding leisure activities such as eating out and visiting friends. While you may be tempted to spend the majority of your free time communicating with your partner, make sure they are on the same page about it. Some couples enjoy texting back and forth for hours on end, while others prefer talking every other hour or day. Before spamming each other with endless threads of texts, have an open and honest conversation about the frequency and length of time you spend talking to each other on the phone or via text. This will help eliminate any frustration from both sides.
Resolve Any Conflicts Honestly And Openly
No matter how far apart you are bottling up smaller issues can lead to even bigger problems in the future. When an issue arises, have a conversation about it to try and resolve the problem. Approach your partner honestly and let them know how you feel in a calm and respectful manner. There are a few topics that are difficult to approach, but learning how to bring them up with your partner in a calm and collected conversation will go a long way in helping your long-distance relationship thrive.
Start Planning A trip Together
Building excitement for the next time you are able to see each other in person is a great way to keep the fire burning. It also helps when conversation may seem a little dried up. Start mapping out your plans to take a trip together. Book hotels, plan your routes for a road trip, or scout out the fanciest restaurants you have both been dying to try out. You will both find yourselves counting down the days in anticipation of the next big adventure ahead.
Start A Personal Book Club
If you both enjoy a good book, then this is a great way to keep the mental juices flowing between you and your partner. Choose a few books you both will enjoy reading and give yourselves a week or two to read them alone before diving into the details together on a call or video chat. This is a shared experience that can help strengthen your bond on a deeper emotional level.
Send Love Letters
Nowadays emojis seem to do all of the talking for us, but the lost art of mailing pen to paper is a sincere way to really let your partner know how you feel about them. If you are missing your significant other, surprise them with a handwritten note in the mail. It can be a list of all the reasons you love them or a simple note scribbled with hearts, x’s, and o’s. It can be anything you like because all that matters is that It’s a meaningful and tangible gesture that will leave a smile on your partner’s face for the rest of the day.
Get Dressed Up For A Virtual Date
Just because you are miles apart it doesn’t mean that you have to spend all your virtual time together lounging around in sweats or leggings. Set up a virtual date where you both dress up for the occasion. Putting in the extra effort to slip into a suit or dress will help set off some sparks during your romantic virtual date. Unfortunately, things can get monotonous when in a long-distance relationship, but dressing up in your best outfit will help give both of you the extra confidence boost you need. When you look good, you feel good, which is the perfect starting point for an intimate dinner together.
Embrace The Positive
When things get tough, remind yourself of all the positive things about being in a long-distance relationship. It may be hard to imagine anything positive about the situation, but there is always a bright side when you change your attitude towards the current circumstances. It may be frustrating at times but the distance can help you build a stronger relationship. As the saying goes, “absence makes the heart grow fonder” and when you are finally reunited, you will be reminded of all the reasons you chose to be in this long-distance relationship in the first place.
When The Time Is Right Start Planning The Next Step
For most, long-distance is only temporary. Once your stars have aligned and you both have decided that you want to spend eternity together, then it may be time to start making plans about merging your lives together. Whether this means getting engaged or relocating jobs, it is important to make sure that the timing is right for both parties. If you both agree that the timing and circumstances are right, then there is nothing holding you back. Start saving for a deposit on an apartment together, plan the wedding, start scouting for new jobs in the area, whatever it may be, start the planning together. Giving each other a little glimpse of hope for the future will also help ease some of the heartaches you are experiencing from being apart.
The Bottom Line
There is no doubt that long-distance relationships can be challenging and with the current pandemic, it may seem that much harder at times. While there may not be a definitive guide on how to survive the long-distance, using a few of the tips above can help strengthen your connection and ease your pain when things get overwhelming. By making the effort to communicate honestly and connect on a deeper more emotional level, things do get a lot easier. You may not be able to change the current circumstances but you can change your attitude towards it. Let your partner know how much you love them and try to remind yourself of all the reasons you decided to be in this long-distance relationship. One day you will be reunited again and all the effort you put in will be worth it.