Long-Distance Dating: The Dos and Don’ts

Living miles away from your partner might seem like a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be a hindrance for your relationship. With modern technology, being miles apart doesn’t mean the end of the road for your love affair. Keep in touch and keep the flame blazing with these essential Dos and Don’ts of long-distance dating.

The Dos

1. Keep the communication channels open

Communication is vital in any relationship, and more so when you’re living miles away from your partner. Text, call, or video chat daily to keep your partner up to date and to let them know you’re thinking of them.

2. Set parameters on the relationship

Define the parameters of your relationship, which includes discussing your commitment levels, how often you plan to communicate, among other things. This will ensure you’re both on the same page about what you want from each other and help adjust expectations appropriately.

3. Surprise your partner with small, meaningful gestures

Surprise your partner with thoughtful gestures such as sending a handwritten letter, ordering their favorite food from their local restaurant, or delivering a gift to use on your next video call. These fun, heartfelt interactions can help maintain your connection.

4. Plan visits

Planning visits to see each other can provide assurance and excitement that the relationship is alive and strengthening. Whether you decide to visit every month or every six months, establishing a fixed schedule on when to visit will help manage expectations and give you both something to look forward to.

5. Stay positive

Distance can take a toll on a relationship, and, at times, it might appear hard to manage. Yet, helping to keep a positive attitude and remaining committed to the partnership will in turn help both of you feel more secure and keep invested in your relationship.

The Don’ts

1. Don’t be inflexible

Respecting each other’s individual schedules and daily routines is critical when apart. Ensure to keep lines of communication about visits, communication, itineraries. Be flexible and open to adjustments in the plan due to changing circumstances.

2. Avoid going too long without communication

Don’t allow too much time to pass without any check-ins. Remaining out of contact longer beyond the used timeframe of texting or communicating can create anxiety and instigate concerns that go far beyond just absence or predicaments in communication.

3. Resist behaving protective and monitoring behavior’

Being overly possessive or analyzing everything can result in faulty communication and a sense of loss of space and agency for your partner. Learn to have faith in each other, communicate confidently, and aim to focus on developing healthy interaction.

4. Avoid buffering or neglect due to work pressure’

Work pressure can be extremely taxing on a long-distance relationship, often leading to neglect. Share your schedule and work with each other to set expectations about how you can fit communication amidst hectic work pressures, down times, all helping to keep the time flowing and avoiding frustrations over maintain consistent communication.

5. Steer clear of discussing the past within relationships

Focusing on the present often shapes the foundation for seeking constructive, meaningful outcomes. And when discussing concerns, avoid mentioning the past or referring to earlier glitches. Keep discussing and conversing issues to maintain the present, not the past.

In conclusion, long-distance dating and maintaining a connection is indeed a courageous journey, one that requires patience, affection, trust, and consistent communication. Thankfully, it’s almost accurate to say the limitations of distance can reinforce solid love bonds with patience, respect for each other’s wellbeing and the ability to stay positive. Future rendezvous for any LDR pairs awaits – stay passionate!