6 Tips To Survive A Long Distance Relationship

I have been in more long distance relationships (LDR) than i would like to be in. In fact, all my past relationships had some sort of LDR stint. Whether an ocean in the same country, separated by states or different countries! I am really glad to say that the end of past relationships was never because of distance. *fist pump* Surviving an LDR should be an achievement.

I won't lie, being in an LDR is challenging. It takes hard work, a lot of patience and perseverance, but at the end of the day, if you and your partner are committed to working and developing your relationship. IT WILL BE WORTH IT! I had my frustrations and outbursts when i miss Don so much that, saying i miss you isn't enough or having a feeling of wanting to drop everything and be with him. I promised myself to not get in an LDR again. Done with it! No more! but heh... LOVE! Look at me now, writing an article on LDRs. I am not going to go through trust, love and issues in a relationship. If you are in a relationship, that's pretty much the fundamentals of being in a relationship. LOVE and TRUST. But these two key points play important roles in LDR. You have to love and trust your partner fully to be in LDR (i will elaborate this more in coming posts). 

Here are my tips based on Khaira's experience on surviving an LDR.



1. Be committed to each other. 

From my experience,  LDR will only work if both of you want the relationship to work. It will never work if only one party is making it work. It takes two to tango! Two hands to clap! It needs two parties to commit to each other and say - Yes baby! I want to be with you and i will do anything to make this relationship work and go through LDR with you. It has to be said and agreed by both parties. If not... this would probably be the beginning of the end and a bad investment of time and effort. 

2. Be the First and Last.

This is so cliche, but it works. Nothing makes me (i don't know about Don) happier than waking up to reading a good morning message from Don. I always try to say good morning first but, he always beats me to it. You start your day well and has the potential to end well. Same as waking up, say good night to each other as well. It can be a text, Skype, Facetime or whatever communication tools you use. Good morning and Good night. It will help your relationship. 

3. Communicate.

Communication is so important and can be a little tricky if you are in a different time zone. Understand each other's work schedules and work around it. You don't have to text your partner every hour of the day. But short - How are you? What are you up to? whatever you and your partner share without feeling like you are in each other's way. I would send interesting links, give small updates of what i am doing, Youtube videos and photos to Don and he would do the same. 

4. Set a date to meet.

This is so important in your relationship to have a date to meet. It will give you and your partner something to look forward to. It would rekindle the spark. Re-connect the connection! It's a little goal for your relationship. But when you do visit your partner, make sure you spend quality time with each other. No work talk. No outside distractions. Unless you have important businesses to attend to, you and your partner can work things out. A well-thought-out itinerary would be ideal.

5. Be real. 

Be real with each other. Think long-term. At the end of the day, you and your partner should decide an end game for your LDR. It can't be an LDR forever. Your end game can be moving to one place to be together or getting married. If you and your partner know the direction of your relationship is heading to, you are doing well. If you and your partner don't know, it is time to set up a meeting and discuss the future. It can be a scary thing, but it has to be done. 

6. Find distractions (for you).

Distractions. Keep yourself distracted. It can get a little hard (and annoying) when you want to do things with your partner, but they are not around. This is the best time to work on you, find a hobby and use that hobby to distract yourself from my-boyfriend-is-not-here-im-sad thoughts. Join a gym! Play a sport! Hang out with friends! Do something for yourself. Some couples tend to sit in front of the computers for hours, just skyping/Face timing! No hating, but what do you guys talk about for hours!?! Live your life as well. Don't stop your life just because your partner is not around.

I hope these tips help you through your LDR and let me know if you have any other tips or pieces of advice. Much love to all of you all going through LDRs.