Surviving Long Distance
Going the Distance: Bridging the Gap Between Long-Distance Relationships
Having a long-distance relationship is a lot like having…well, a long-distance relationship. It’s both a fulfilling, yet difficult thing to have in your life. It’s both simple and complex to handle. And most importantly, it’s both something you can live and can’t live without. Simply put, it’s very stressful, but also rewarding.
It's a lot like being put between a rock and a hard place in the sense that you went into a relationship because you want someone to be with for life to hold, love and cherish, but the person who fits the bill is thousands of miles away. It’s a cruel joke, indeed, but there are ways to turn the joke back on the cosmic joker.
Trust.
Most, if not all, problems and negative feelings that plague long-distance relationships comes from a lack of trust. It's not a very good feeling when every minute of every day you need to check up on your partner to find out whether or not he is being faithful to you. It’s annoying, taxing, and time-consuming for both parties.
If you want the relationship to work, you need to have faith in your partner’s fidelity. At the same time, you have to remain faithful, as well. However, this is not to say that you should accept everything blindly because there ARE signs that you should watch out for. The best thing to do is to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.
Romance is not something that should be forgotten.
Just because you’re far apart doesn’t mean that warm and fuzzy feelings should be put on the back burner. A little love note now and then makes a world of difference, so does an unexpected call just to say “hi.” If you’re really missing the person, why not even plan a sudden visit? As long as you have the time and resources, go for it! Which brings us to the next point.
Use your resources.
With the advent of e-mail, text messaging, and overnight delivery services, there is no limit to what you can do to make your partner feel special, even from a distance. Communication has been made fast, easy, and cheap. Compose a poem and send it through email. Send little gifts from time to time. Most of all, make sure that you communicate at least once a day.
Keep yourself busy, as well.
Of course, not everything should be about your relationship. You should never neglect your own life while trying to keep your relationship alive and well. Go out with your friends and have fun on your own time. You’ll have something more to talk about the next time you talk with your partner.
In the modern world, distance is actually a trivial thing, especially when it comes to relationships. No matter if your relationship is one where you see each other every day, or talking over the phone is the best you have for now, it still boils down to the same thing: this is something where both of you should grow, learn, and become better people through honesty and loyalty. Long-distance relationships may be overwhelming, but in the end, they are more rewarding than others. Remember, distance does make the heart grow fonder.