With summer approaching and holiday and internship plans looming, the discussions about long-distance relationships come with it. Whether you’re a pro at long-distance or it’s the first time you’ll be apart, it’s important to take steps to ease the anxiety of it and avoid any issues from arising later down the line.
First things first, you’re not alone. Up to 75 per cent of students at university report being in a long-distance relationship, with social media making it a lot easier to maintain these relationships. This means that you probably have friends who are in the same boat as you, so talking to them about the struggles of long-distance can help make you feel less alone. It is also important to talk to your partner about your feelings, especially any concerns you might be having. Communication is the most important thing in a long-distance relationship – not being able to see each other in person means you can’t pick up on the subtleties of body language. It’s important not to leave your partner guessing if there is a problem.
Whilst it can feel like it’s impossible to maintain a relationship without seeing each other in person, there are things that you can do together. It is important to set aside time for your partner and switch it up from the regular facetime. Having a virtual movie night or eating dinner together can help make it feel like you are experiencing something together, rather than just sending the mundane “how was your day” text. However, time together doesn’t always have to be well-planned; calling your partner spontaneously to check in for five minutes is an easy way to make them feel loved.
Getting into a routine is also important with long-distance relationships, particularly if you have to juggle a time difference. Knowing roughly what time the other person will wake up and be free to chat can help provide comfort and make the relationship feel more regular, as you know when they will be able to speak. This takes away from the uncertainty of long-distance – one of the main issues faced by couples.
Whilst regular communication and time spent together is important, what is almost more important is accepting that you and your partner need to live your own lives. Whether you are on holiday or working an internship, it is important to make the most of the time you have with the people and opportunities around you, letting your partner do the same. Long distance is not an easy thing, but by allowing your partner to live their own life and make the most of what they’re doing, it creates strong trust and gives you lots to talk about when you do catch up – a win-win situation!
So however long your distance is, remember to keep communication strong, and have a time set for the next time to see each other, to make the wait a little easier. It’s all worth it in the end!
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