Love knows no boundaries. And couples who are staying in long distance relationships might find it difficult in staying connected. Both of you will be at a limit of what you want to do because you guys stay far apart. However, it is important to keep the excitement as well as the romance alive.
You need to put in a lot of effort as you both won’t be able to spend time physically. However, putting in the right amount of effort as well as creativity will surely keep the spark alive. There are so many things that you can do to keep the relationship amazing throughout the entire time you both are at a distance.
Now, if you are confused and don’t know what to do and how to keep things perfect between you and your partner while in a relationship where distance is a crisis, then you don’t need to worry about anything. Yes! Here, I am going to talk about the Top 15 Things To Do While In A Long Distance Relationship.
In fact, the best thing about this article is that you will be able to learn about things that you must avoid to keep your relationship alive.
1. Discuss Communication Needs
The very first thing that I would suggest you do while being in a long-distance relationship is deciding the communication needs. Yes! Talk and decide when you both are comfortable to talk and communicate. But, keep in mind that it should be beyond all those quick chats that happen throughout the day.
You both might agree on the fact that you guys want to talk quite often but might disagree about what that really means. In case, the level of communication, as well as the idea of it, differs, then you might find it compromising or you can talk it out beforehand to prevent this frustration later.
Having a conversation schedule will surely help you to know when you can expect a text or call from your partner. This way there will be no frustration at all.
An occasional, spontaneous, “thinking of you” phone call can be a nice surprise, but scheduling longer conversations can help you connect when you’re both at your best.
2. Maintain your Independence
Well! Talking about long-distance relationships, one of the biggest things to remember is to maintain your independence. Keep in mind that you stay in a different city or country and you have your own life. Yes! It is pretty clear that you might think a part of you is missing if your partner stays miles away. However, try and maintain your daily schedule. In fact, keeping yourself busy will help you to get relief from the lonely feelings.
It is natural to have an urge to talk to your partner more when they are not here. But, this way you will be always stuck with your computer or phone and if your partner isn’t available for a conversation, it might hurt you. Hence, it is always better to go out and take some time and chill with your friends and family.
This is because even if your partner doesn’t have the time to talk to you throughout the day, you will not be left alone and can spend your own time with your family or friends.
3. Don’t Neglect Intimacy
While being in a long-distance relationship, it becomes pretty difficult for both to maintain sexual intimacy. It can actually become a challenge for both of you to make it and if you as well as your partner both enjoy sex regularly, then you might struggle due to the lack of intimate contact.
However, you can still connect intimately, here is how you can do it.
To keep things interesting, try:
- swapping sexy photos (just make sure your messaging app is secure)
- talking about sex and things you’d like to try
- phone sex
- mutual masturbation during a video chat
- sending erotic emails, letters, or texts
Keep in mind that not everyone is comfortable having digital intimacy. Hence, it is always suggestible to discuss the boundaries around phone sex, photos, or webcam use.
You might feel it awkward at first but you shouldn’t hesitate to get those feelings. In fact, sharing some awkward moments will help you to build intimacy.
4. Spend Time Together
Work, money, as well as time commitments, can really make things difficult for you or your partner to visit you often as you would like to. Hence, you can consider doing some advance planning and it will help you to get a good deal on plane fares or you can look for other transportation options such as ride-shares or trains.
You can even try changing things up by meeting at a halfway point to lighten the burden.
5. Watch a Movie Together
All thanks to technological advancement and to the rise of the streaming world, you can now watch movies or some amazing TV shows on the opposite sides of the world.
Try to synchronize the starting of the movie just by starting at exactly the same time. You can play the movie and your partner can see it from the webcam or vice versa. However, it can be a little difficult to hear or see the movie.
Still try to enjoy the movie with your partner by video chatting or calling while you watch the movie. Always relax and be the way you would while your partner was with you in the room.
6. Plan a Date Night
Yes! It is true that you won’t be able to go on a date in person, but that shouldn’t stop you from going on a date night. How? You can always create a nice romantic atmosphere at your home. Try to turn on the music and have a glass of wine or any drink you like and then a video call. Drink it together.
In fact, you can make this evening even more romantic and special if you both:
- Light candles
- Dress up for the night
- Cook a meal that you both enjoy
You can end this date night on a romantic note with a video chat during an intimate conversation and a candlelit bath. Physical intimacy is an important part of many relationships, and even if you can’t be directly physical, you can still create intimacy and a sense of closeness.
7. Create a Digital Photo Album Together
Another thing that you should keep in mind while you are being in a long distanced relationship is to create memories. Yes! Now you might think that how to create memories while staying far away. Well! Let me tell you, you can click pictures of places you are going and click nice pictures.
And then there are several sites of digital photo albums available for you both to click and then drop those photos into the site. Furthermore, you and your partner can work on one together and then place an order of hardcopy once the entire album is ready.
8. Learn Something Together
Learning something new together can be really fun especially if you and your partner stay at a distance. You can learn a foreign language or can learn playing a new instrument online together.
In fact, you both can take the classes in person and later on do a video chat or talk on the phone regarding what all you both have learned. The next step would be to practice the new skill together. This way you will not feel alone and both of you will be able to stay connected to each other.
9. Go for a Virtual Walk
It will be pretty amazing to share a virtual walk with your partner. You are wondering how to do it? Well! You can share a walk with your partner by talking on the phone while you spend some time in your neighborhood, somewhere entirely new, or a favorite spot.
If possible, do this while they’re taking a stroll, too. Arranging to do the same activity at the same time can increase your sense of connection. While you walk and do a video chat at the same time, it might be dangerous. Hence, you can find a favorite park or any other quiet spot where you can have a nice and romantic video call.
10. Make Each Other a Part of Family and Friend Gatherings
Do you or your partner used to visit each other’s family or friends for some social gatherings, occasions, or holidays? If yes, in that case, there is no reason for you to not invite them to the gatherings now. Yes! I mean you both can do a video call and stay together and enjoy the gatherings right?
If you both continue to share casual hangouts or even special events then it will help you to maintain a sense of involvement in each other’s lives. This will further help you both to keep in touch with your friends and family no matter what.
Staying connected like this can be especially important if one partner lives alone in a new city with no loved ones nearby. Just make sure that the rest of the group knows they’ll be having a digital guest.
11. Get Healthy
As we all know that being a healthy couple is a happy couple always. There are several apps available online at Google Play Store or Apple Store. You can always download one of the fitness apps and ask your partner to download the same app.
This will make sure you both stay motivated and then you can encourage others on their health and fitness goals. Try to pick a goal and then further encourage your partner to meet the goals.
12. Surprise Them with a Visit
Giving a surprise visit to them is irreplaceable. Yes! You can always visit them and give them the best surprise of love. However, keep in mind that the fewer people you tell in advance, the less of a chance the secret will get leaked.
Yes, it is true that planned trips are great but the surprise is even better trust me. Especially, if you or your partner is having a rough week or if there is something really big that calls for a celebration.
13. Write Your Love Story
One of the most interesting things to do while you both stay at a distance is to write your love story. Yes! It doesn’t matter whether the love story is handwritten or written and saved on Google Docs.
What is more important is that you and your partner both writing the love story together and creating sweet memories while you revive the old ones. You can always include some good memorable details about how you first met, how you felt in the early days, and memories you’ve shared along the way.
14. Share Recipes
Being in a distanced relationship who said you can’t cook together? Well! I know it might be hard for your partner to imagine having a dish that you have whipped without tasting it. Hence, what I suggest is you pick a meal a month and then you both make it.
Yes! Cooking can be fun and romantic as you can discuss what improvements you can do with the meal and stay connected to your partner in the meantime.
15. Start a Book Club
It is pretty challenging to live in two different places and hence breakups happen. However, there are ways to avoid it and one of them is to start a book club. Whether you are into the latest mystery thriller or non-fiction, you must have some common to talk about regarding the book. Hence, you both can read the same book and enjoy a lovely evening together.
What are the Things to Avoid While Being in a Long Distance Relationship?
1. Checking up on your Partner
One of the most important factors that you should avoid while staying in a long-distance relationship is checking up on your partner.
Trust is one of the main factors that keeps the long distanced relationship alive. In fact, it will require you to trust each other so as to maintain the boundaries of your relationship.
Yes, I know that it is true for every relationship but it will be pretty much essential if you are staying away from your partner and staying at a good distance. In fact, it is normal to worry about your partner when their behavior seems unusual. Maybe they miss a goodnight call, talk a lot about new friends, or seem less responsive to texts for a few days.
While this is happening, you can communicate your concerns with your partner rather than letting all the worries tempt you into asking proof of where they were or photos of them in bed each night.
2. Keeping Feelings and Emotions to Yourself
In case, you are among those who like to share feelings as well as emotions in a person, then you might find it a little difficult to do so while being in a distanced relationship. However, you need to keep in mind that avoiding some intense discussions might cause problems in the near future.
“Your ability and willingness to talk about difficult issues or feelings are both very important,” says Scott Cubberly, MSW, LCSW. “Many people tend to be avoidant of these things since they’re afraid to cause emotion or upset.”
But, the absence of facial expression, as well as body language, might make your partner misread your intentions or words. And eventually, it might create a lot of misunderstandings.
Despite all these complexities, this is essential to have a habit of talking openly to your partner regarding your feelings. If you avoid or lie about how you are feeling, the relationship might not last long.
3. Treating Every Visit like a Vacation
In case, you only see your partner once in a while, you might feel the urge to make every minute count. Well! It is pretty often that you can treat this as vacation time. This is because it might be the only time you are having sex. It is totally understandable but this might make it harder for you to know what is going on in your partner’s life while you are not present.
Don’t forget all these little things:
If you see each other in person, you will always try to make an effort that should be included in the everyday moments you spend together such as:
- getting up to make breakfast
- helping each other with chores
- falling asleep in front of a movie on the couch
This quiet intimacy can help you feel more connected than rushing from activity to activity.
Maintaining a long-distance relationship isn’t that easy as it will require a lot of care as well as attention and most importantly trust. These are the top 15 things that you could do to keep the spark in your relationship alive. If you are confused, then comment it down below and I will be more than happy to help you out.