There are several benefits to being in a long distance relationship, and if you need a reminder of those click here for a blog post. So it’s important that you protect what’s important to you, and that means taking the time to make sure you’re operating within a healthy, happy relationship. Maybe you’re not there yet and that’s okay. That’s why I’m here to share with you 4 ways to improve your long distance relationship.
First of all- Congratulations, you found someone that’s worth the distance. You made the tough choice- one that most people are too afraid to make. You are willing to give it a shot with someone that doesn’t live in the same town- or maybe even the same country. That’s badass. Don’t forget that.
"A long distance relationship teaches me to live to fullest when I'm alone, and love crazily when I'm with you."
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Skype is a vital resource
-Try to video chat as often as you can. The conversation is more personal if you can see eachother's raw reactions and emotions. There's less of a chance of miscommunication, and it requires more of your attention. When you video chat, you are entirely focused on the other person- unlike a phone call where you tend to multi-task. -
Go Back to Basics- Snail Mail
-Try writing handwritten letters to each other. Even if it's just a bunch of random thoughts and doodles, receiving something tangible from the other person helps you feel connected. Plus, sending a letter takes more time and effort than sending a text or email, so it's more meaningful to receive. -
Technology is your friend
-Make use of all the different ways technology can bridge the gap between you and your significant other. One of my favorite resources is a site called Rabb.it which allows you to watch movies with another person through synced video. We've all tried the old "press play on the count of 3" trick, but let's be honest- it doesn't work perfectly. Plus, God Forbid someone pauses it for even a second and screws up the timing. Rabb.it broadcasts the same exact video feed to both parties so if one person hits pause, everyone's movie will pause. Video chat is also enabled so you can see each other's reaction to film, in real time. The site allows you to stream Netflix, YouTube, Twitch, and Hulu (to name a few), so you're not limited to movies.
Go to https://www.rabb.it to check it out.
**UPDATE (March 4th, 2020): Rabb.it is no longer available- It has been replaced with a service called Kast, which follows the same concept. I have no tested Kast yet, so I can not recommend it at this time. -
Become a Planner
-I have never been much of a planner, but I've learned that sometimes it's good to push yourself and get organized- especially when you're in a long distance relationship. If you're lucky enough to get a trip booked to see your significant other, you should start brainstorming and planning exactly what you're going to do during this visit. You want to make the best use of your time together so take care of all the logistics ahead of time. I know, it won't feel as spontaneous, and you might worry that you're being too structured- but I promise you that planning is essential. It's so easy to waste time standing around wondering "what should we do now?" and it's extremely frustrating when you come up with a good idea only to realize you have to buy tickets in advance, or it's only available on certain days. I don't care how compatible you two are, you will still find yourselves looking for direction at some point. You don't have to schedule every second of every day. Even if you just brainstorm a list of ideas, It'll save you time Googling "Things to Do Around Me" when you'd much rather be out on the town with your significant other.
