How to Save a Long Distance Relationship

Long distance relationships can be very difficult to maintain. Constantly being far away from the person you love will eventually lead to some conflict. There may even come a time when you believe the relationship to be in grave danger. However, you can take steps in order to ensure that your long distance relationship will last. Here is how to save a long distance relationship.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Talk on the phone with your significant other at least once a day. Communication is the most important part of any relationship and that goes double for a long distance relationship. Since you can't physically be with the one you love, converse with one another via telephone or cell phone. Just hearing the voice of the person you love can make a long distance relationship easier.
2. Use text messaging as a form of communication with your significant other. Depending on how far away that person is from you, you may find that the two of you are on different life schedules. Perhaps you work different shifts and can't speak with your loved one as often as you would like. Using your phones to text message one another is a simple way to keep in touch throughout the day.
3. Write emails to one another and talk to one another using instant messaging programs online. This is especially convenient if one or both of you work an office job and are constantly at the computer. Numerous instant messaging programs exist and many email services now offer their own instant messaging services.
4. Plan a surprise trip to see your significant other. Chances are that any problems you are experiencing in your long distance relationship will be taken care of once you spend time with your loved one. Make sure that you plan your trip at a time when your loved one has nothing planned. Going to see your significant other on a weekend when that person has concert tickets, for example, is not wise.
5. Send mail and small gifts periodically to your loved one. It may sound somewhat goofy, but little gifts once a month can really put a smile on a person's face. These gifts should be meaningful and also have some humor to them. For example, you could find funny “wishing you were here” greeting card or a book of matches from a restaurant the two of you love to go to in your area.
6. Know when your loved one needs a little space. Sometimes when two people are in a long distance relationship, it can actually make things more difficult to constantly talk with one another. If you feel that your significant other needs some time, be willing to go without talking for a day. Since you're in a long distance relationship, you both have lives outside of the relationship. Get involved with other matters for 24 hours and take your mind off of problems.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to limit your jealousy to a minimum. In a long distance relationship, jealousy is often the root of disagreements. Trust your loved one and that person's relationships with others.