Long-distance relationships have been portrayed over time to be scary and challenging. I know that a lot of people wonder if long-distance relationships can work out. Many have found "LOVE" but live in the fear of "we live worlds apart, will it work out?" Your fears and worries are really valid but have you heard the phrase "Do it afraid?" To know if your long-distance relationship will work out, you have to give it a trial even in uncertainty. However, in giving it a trial, you also have to be positive minded and ready to put in the effort needed to make it successful. That is why if you're reading this, i would say you're on the right track as this blog post will guide you on working and useful tips on how to manage a long-distance relationship and make it work. 

Here's a look at how to keep the love and make it work 

​​​​1. Be intentional: How a relationship will work out be it long or short distance depends on the intentionality of both parties involved. You have to be deliberate about making it work. People in long-distance relationships must be way more intentional, deliberate, and industrious in doing the work that will help the relationship thrive together, with emphasis on "TOGETHER". Being intentional will make you know the purpose of your relationship and help map out ways in which it can work. 

2. Communicate daily: Communication should be made easy and comfortable for both parties. In most cases, you can have a partner whose daily schedule is quite different from yours. This is why you both have to work out how you will communicate effectively and efficiently beyond the quick texting or chatting throughout the day. You can plan a communication schedule as this can help you know when to expect a call from your partner and when not to. This doesn't mean you can't chip in a surprise call once in a while, The "I just want to hear your voice" kind of call, it will go a long way in making your partner feel loved and happy. The purpose of scheduling calls is for longer conversations where you both are not distracted by anything but focused on each other and connecting on a "WAVY LEVEL". 

​​​​​​3. Maintain your independence: Maintaining your independence in your long-distance relationship is a must. I've noticed that many people feel so lonely when they are not with their partner which is okay but this feeling has to be occasional and not all the time cos that's not healthy. Feeling lonely all the time only means that you've based all your life on the relationship. You need to know that you have a life outside your relationship. You're still your person, you have to keep busy, and go on with your daily routines. The truth is some of you are going to be with partners that might not be able to communicate as often as you like, this is why you shouldn't lose yourself, find time to spend with family, friends, and loved ones, spend time on your own, do something! Don't give room to loneliness. 

4. Plan out a time to meet physically: No matter how far apart you and your partner are, you have to plan out a time or times to meet physically. This would also help strengthen the relationship. When you see each other physically, don't treat it like a vacation where you just want to enjoy alone, it should be a time to understand what your partner's life is like when you aren't there and a time to do the little things together, like;

✓ getting up to make breakfast 

✓ helping each other with chores

✓ watching movies together while locking hands 

✓ going on a physical date

✓ romance 

✓ having long and deep conversations that couldn't have been expressed online, etc.  

5. Vary your mode of communication: To feel more connected with each other, you might need to switch up on how you keep in touch. You can move from the usual phone calls and chats to sharing photos and videos on other apps like Snapchat. You can decide to chip in video calls once in a while so you can see each other's faces, work environment, or surroundings, you can also randomly share a post online with your partner through Instagram, Facebook, etc, just make sure you're not limited to one usual way all the time and to spice things up. You can even go non-digital like, sending a letter or surprise package. This can light up your partner's mood and make their whole day. You can try that once in a while to spice things up in your long-distance relationship. 

6. Make your communication count: Since communicating with your partner daily is important in a long-distance relationship, it's expedient to make the most out of each day's communication. In order not to feel like you and your partner never get enough time to talk, you can think ahead of each communication. To make it worthwhile, you can jot down things you want to share with them during the day so you can remember them later. If you have something on your mind, talk about it, don't leave it unsaid. You shouldn't also focus on sharing thoughts on major issues alone, the minor conversations counts___like what you had for lunch, the outfit you're rocking to work the next day, how you changed your bedsheets, how your boss wore a very long skirt to work, etc. Share things that are trivial or even boring, it's part of the communication. 

7. Share physical reminders of each other: Your partner's belongings can carry a lot of meaning. Think of the smell of their bedsheets, the smell of their perfumes, even the scent of their shampoo, anything at all that reminds you of their presence even when they are a million miles away. When next you visit, consider deliberately leaving some belongings with each other. Hang some of your clothes in their wardrobes, leave your favorite brand of coffee/tea on their shelves, leave some books, anything at all that will make you both cherish the moment together even while you are away. 

8. Build your trust in each other: For your long-distance relationship to work out, you need to trust your partner. Don't give room for doubt. The truth is that there will be times that you will wonder if your partner is actually doing what they said they're doing especially moments when their behaviors are unusual, maybe they miss a goodnight call, or talk a lot about new friends or seem less responsive to texts for a few days, this can cause a worry and make you think to the extreme than you should. However, this is where trusting your partner comes in. Instead of building worries, build trust, communicate those worries to your partner instead of acting suspiciously, or frequently asking for pictures of where they are, what they are doing, who they are with, etc, which can't help. Communicate well and give room for the benefits of the doubt. 

To wrap it up, you need to know that distance shouldn't be a sign to put an end to a relationship. You should give room to love and build something meaningful and lasting with the person you love and care for. Put in that extra effort, and get creative on how you stay in touch regardless. Watch out for the results and you will see just how you will both get closer and happier.

Hey reader, did you enjoy this beautiful piece? If you did, show me some love by liking, commenting, and sharing with your loved ones, thank you ❤️.