How To Make a Long-Distance Relationship Thrive
"Long-distance couples also naturally spend less quality time together. Some couples might mediate this by setting schedules to chat, but intimacy can still decrease despite this, and that sometimes this can make couples feel like connecting is more of an obligation to fulfill than something that brings them joy.
Understand each other’s background, upbringing, and culture
Be willing to study a person’s context and where they come from for it will help you understand their decision-making and preferences. And this will be the lens through which you look at how you will work on the relationship
Reframe your communication
Long-distance couples who expect help from each other may just find themselves more frustrated than relieved, because the distance can make it difficult not only to communicate a need but to offer help at all.
Shift communication from asking for support to sharing. Sharing means when something happens to you, don't expect your partner to help you, rather, share this experience with your partner after the situation is resolved. Sharing means also extending your successes and triumphs to your partner. Couples can then celebrate these wins and make them more special by sending each other gifts or raising a glass of wine over their next video call.
Have novel experiences together from time to time
Take turns suggesting and planning experiences that neither partner has had. This helps ignite passion and add excitement back into the relationship. It can be anything from taking a trip to a new country, starting a new project together, or even just playing a new virtual game."
Read the full article on Vice
✨Takeaway: Managing expectations and being realistic about the challenges of long-distance relationships can help prevent disappointment or frustration.
✨Reflection: Have you ever been in a long-distance relationship? If so, what strategies did you use to make it work?
#Relationships #Long-Distance #Communication
@innateJoy9602 thank you so much for sharing this!
Me and my significant other have been together for almost 5 years, but have been long distance for about 4 years! We also graduated from the same university together (*´∀｀*人*´∀｀*)!
It was a bit of of struggle at first because when I moved back here in the US, I had to readjust my life again here while trying to keep in touch him everyday. I would talk to him about twice a day since he is 12 hours ahead of me. Then a year later, he got a job in a smaller town, so we would be in touch about once or twice a week. But we manage to chat online almost everyday. Pandemic also affected us since me and my mother were supposed to visit back in 2020 until the airlines cancelled our flight.
But we both made it work during the past few years! We would also talk together every few weeks about our relationship standing. And we try not to rush each other because of many circumstances that have happened around us in our own lives. Of course it wasn’t easy. There were days where we couldn’t meet each other halfway. He is also not great with tech, which made me tense sometimes but I try to help him a lot with it. So we’ve overall been supporting and working around with each other amidst many difficulties.
Fast forward to now, my mom and I finally bought plane tickets for our trip this summer to visit our family finally, so I’ll also get to reunite with my partner, although our overall trip will last only about 2 weeks. So we’re going to make it count.
My partner is also supporting me through my recovery (which is why I’m here in 7cups). He is my confidant and safest space, same with me ♡.
Thanks for reading my story! (•‾⌣‾•)و ̑̑♡
@compassionateOak202
Wow! I commend you for keeping it strong and making it work!
It’s nice that you both did your best on both ends.
Especially, with having patience and trying not to rush each other!
Also, how lovely of him to be very supportive of you and your recovery. <3
Hope you have a fun time this summer :)💜
@innateJoy9602 thank you so much! take care to you too! (*˘︶˘*)
