How to succeed in Long Distance Relationships

Ahhh long distance relationships… the villian of true love.

When you’re physically apart from your partner, it’s natural to feel lonely and miss their presence. I know it was hard for me to be at peace with the fact that I wasn’t around my partner most of the time. Focusing on that feeling of emptiness made it difficult for me to give my full attention to other important things in my life. Wallowing in your sadness over the fact you can’t see them every day is not gonna help you get over the loneliness you feel in any way shape or form. 

However, there are several ways to manage this feeling and stay connected with your partner. In order to implement these tips, you should first understand why separation and loneliness occur in these circumstances. Separation anxiety is a common feeling that can arise when one partner is far away from the other, and it can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. It’s important to understand why these feelings occur and how to cope with them in a healthy way.

Never fear, there are ways to cope with this feeling and eventually get over it.

How To Cope With Separation Anxiety

These feelings of panic or fear normally happen at the start of the relationship; what some people call the “honeymoon phase”. We start to feel a deep connection to our partner and maybe even vulnerable around them because they make us feel safe. Once these feelings begin to develop, we fear loosing this connection to the point of being anxious every time they leave the house (Verywellmind). And because of the uncertainty and never being able to see them, this happens more in long distance relationships.

If you are someone who experiences this type of anxiety, there are ways to cope with it and eventually overcome it. Some things you can do are:

• Practice mindfulness
• Talk about your feelings
• Journal whenever you feel these syptoms
• Call a friend
• Go for a walk
• Seek professional help

Also, it’s important to remember that everything is okay and you and your partner are safe. I know at times it’s hard to remember, but just try to keep telling yourself that everything is fine.

Now let’s help your long distance relationship succeed!

Ways to conquer long-distance relationships

Schedule regular video calls

This can help you feel more connected and close to them, even if you’re not physically together. Make sure to set a specific date and time for video calls, and try to stick to them as much as possible. It is critical to plan the calls for a time that works best for both of you. You can also plan activities to do together during your video calls, such as watching a movie, playing online games, or cooking a meal together.

Staying in touch through social media and messaging apps can also help you feel more connected to your partner. You can share photos, videos, and messages throughout the day to keep each other updated on your lives. However, it’s important to set boundaries and avoid becoming too dependent on these apps for communication.

If we can’t call, I like to bombard my boyfriend’s phone with memes and funny reels that remind me of him (sometimes 15+ memes… guilty as charged). Sharing laughter is one our favorite passing times and It’s a part of our love language. We weren’t gonna let the distance get in the way of our love and laughter. Figure out what makes both of you happy and stick to it!

Check out our guide to exciting video calls activities that you can do together.

Talking about your feelings 

Talking about your feelings with your partner is also important when coping with loneliness in a long distance relationship.

Letting your partner know how much you miss them and how you’re feeling can help you both feel more connected and supported. You can also discuss ways to stay connected and cope with the distance together.

In any relationship, it is important to be open and honest about important things that are going on in your life and how you are feeling on a day-to-day basis. This will make you feel a stronger bond between the two of you and will also make you guys feel like you are getting to know each other better rather than drifting apart.

It’s also important to be mindful of your partner’s communication style and preferences. Some people may prefer more frequent check-ins, while others may need more space. Respect your partner’s boundaries and communicate openly about what works best for both of you.

Write love letters

Your grandparents probably did it back in the day, why don’t we bring it back? I believe letters are more sincere since you put a lot of work into them and the person who receives them would appreciate them much more than a simple text.

Writing letters, poems, or sending care packages to your partner can also help you feel more connected and less lonely. These small gestures can show your partner that you’re thinking of them and care about them even when you are far apart.

You can include personal items or mementos in your care packages such as photos, little poems, small gifts, and maybe even a fragrance or two. Keeping a bottle of their perfume or a shirt that smells like them can really help you feel like they are right next to you. Smelling a scent of a loved one can help you remember them in several ways.

Our sense of smell is closely linked to our memories and emotions, and certain scents can trigger powerful feelings and memories. When you smell a scent that reminds you of your loved one, it can make you reminisce about the times you spent together and evoke feelings of love and connection.

This can be especially helpful in a long distance relationship where physical separation can make it difficult to feel close to your partner. This is something that really helped me while being in a long distance relationship.

My boyfriend gave me a sample bottle of one of his signature scents Layton by Parfums De Marly, and whenever I sprayed it, it felt like he was laying right next to me. Not only is this scent absolutely incredible, but it also reminds me of my partner and makes me feel right at home whenever I smell it.

Smelling a fragrance that is frequently used by a loved one can be a simple yet effective way to feel closer to them when they’re not physically present.

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Find hobbies and activities you enjoy

Keeping yourself busy with hobbies and activities that you enjoy is another way to cope with loneliness in a long distance relationship.

This can help take your mind off missing your partner and give you something to focus on. You can also use this time to work on personal goals or projects that you’ve been putting off.

It’s important to never forget you are living a life of your own even when they are not around.

In order to stay independent, you need to find activities and hobbies that you love and enjoy so you can work on the person you want to be when you are with the one you love. Maybe you enjoy writing, dancing, taking photos, or baking some yummy goods.

All of these things are great things to focus on in order to keep your life your own. Even though you want to focus on the things you love for yourself, that doesn’t mean you can’t let your significant other be part of your inspiration.

You can write poems or stories about them, practice dancing so you can dance with them or for them, take pictures of things that remind you of them, and learn how to bake their favorite dessert or how to cook their favorite meal. 

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Conclusion

Finally, it’s important to remember that distance doesn’t mean your love for each other is any less valid or real. It’s natural to feel lonely and miss your partner, but with effort and commitment, you can maintain a strong and healthy relationship despite the distance.

What really helped me deal with these types of feelings when I was in a long distance relationship was to think about my friends and family. I knew there was gonna be a day when I would leave my state to live with my partner, so I spent as much of my time as possible with my family and friends because I had no idea when or if I would see them again.

When you are in a long distance relationship, you feel as if the one thing you want you can’t have, but trust me, when you do make that move, you’ll miss the people in your hometown. Someday, you’ll regret wasting the remaining time you have left with those people just because you were being sad about one person you couldn’t be with.

Keep a positive attitude. Focus on the good aspects of your relationship. And remember that every day brings you one step closer to being reunited with your partner! I hope this guide will help you succeed in your long-distance relationship and transform it into a close (perhaps physically close) relationship. 😉

The bathroom was quiet, except for the hushed echo of her sobs absorbed by the binding walls. Moistened air filled her lungs as tears fell from her cheeks on to the crisp tile beneath her feet. With her back against the wall, her knees buckled causing her to melt onto the floor in a heap of sobs and sorrow. Her body trembled and her throat strained in an attempt to hold back the outcry that was forcefully fighting its way to freedom. Her heart sank as she came face to face with the realization that never seeing him again was a looming possibility that threatened to crush her soul…

Your pen pal,

L