Saying goodbye to your significant other can be a hard task in itself, nonetheless being away from them for long periods of time. Here are 11 ideas that can help you get through the time away from your special someone.
1. Trust them.
A huge part of being in a relationship is trusting the other person, especially in a long distance relationship. While your boyfriend/girlfriend is away at college (or any other long distance scenario), you won't be able to know where they are 24/7 or if they actually are where they say they are, so one has to rely on trust in order to believe them. Remember, trust is the foundation to your relationship - once it has been broken, it's nearly impossible to get back.
2. Distance is merely a word.
It doesn't matter if your boyfriend/girlfriend is an hour away or 11, it doesn't change your affection for each other. Distance is a word, granted a daunting one - but it doesn't mean anything compared to how much you care for your special someone. Distance is temporary, so keep your head up and look forward to the exciting possibilities happening in your future.
3. Focus on how exciting it'll be when you finally get to see them again.
This is the fun part, use your imagination. On the days where you just want to lay in bed and cry all day, focus on how much fun it will be when you get to see their face for the first time in weeks or months. Focus on the smile that'll be on both of your faces, and the warmth you'll feel when you can finally hold them again. The distance is worth the wait, trust me.
4. Be open about your feelings.
In order to make the relationship work, you're going to need to tell your partner how you feel. Sometimes you're going to feel sad and alone, and other times you'll feel on top of the world; either way, it's always a good idea to tell your companion because they can usually help (even if you don't want to admit it). After all, nothing's worse than not knowing how your significant other feels, especially when they're so far away.
5. Think about the way they might feel in return.
Now that your boyfriend/girlfriend is miles away, you're going to be alone quite a lot, but don't fret! This allows you to have fun in other ways, such as spending quality time with a group of your girls/guys, going out on the town, spending time with family and focusing on school or work. No matter what you choose to do or who you may hang out with, just remember to keep your partner's feelings in mind so that no one gets hurt.
6. Give them space.
This one is probably the hardest part for everyone involved because when you can't be with your boyfriend/girlfriend all the time, you want to talk to them all the time, but sometimes they just need space. If your special someone doesn't reply to your text or call for a few hours, don't sweat it, they're probably with friends or taking a nap. Remember not to bombard them with texts if they don't reply quickly, they'll reply when they can. After all, they're in a relationship with you , not someone else, so remain calm and focus on doing something fun to get your mind off your blank phone screen.
7. Keep them in the know.
Part of being in a relationship is being open and letting your significant other know what you're doing throughout the day, so that they don't get worried. If you get busy and don't text them what you're doing, don't worry, just tell them whenever you get a free moment, I'm sure they'll understand. Just remember not to demand updates constantly or freak out if you haven't been informed about the most recent activity they're doing, because sometimes spur of the moment things happen, and they haven't had time to tell you about it. Plus, panicking (and accusing) will create more problems than you both need. Also, talk to them regularly about your newest accomplishments, struggles and interests - I'm sure they'd love to hear all about them.
8. Be supportive.
One of the reasons you're with your boyfriend or girlfriend is because they love and support you, so it's time for you to reciprocate that. Your partner may not always do what you want or think, but you should still support them no matter what. In a long distance relationship, support is a huge factor because support gives your loved one a sense of warmth and content. It's sort of like if you were personally standing on the sideline cheering them on, but since you can't, endless support and love is the next best thing.
9. Make time for them.
Even though you may be hundreds of miles away with a completely different schedule, it doesn't mean you shouldn't make some time for your significant other. It's a pretty simple ordeal: a quick text to catch them up on your newest awkward encounter, a late night phone call asking about their long day or in a more extreme matter, a weekend trip to see them. No matter what you decide to do, big or small, your special someone is bound to appreciate the effort you put into it.
10. Stay positive, even through the hard times.
Sometimes distance can be stressful, but that makes it all the more worthwhile. One of the biggest tests of a relationship is distance. Distance is often known as the 'make it or break it' moment of a relationship, solely due to the fact that people tend to bail when times get tough. One of the easiest ways to make your relationship last through these times is by putting in the time and effort, staying calm and positive, and lastly, asking for reassurance when you need it. Distance can be tough, but if you can get through the time apart, it will make the time spent together more meaningful, and cause your overall relationship to be much stronger.
11. Remember why you were together in the first place.
Chances are, you and your significant other got together because you both were committed to making the relationship work, even through the rough times. That commitment was amplified when you both agreed to stay together even when you might be hundreds of miles apart. You have to remember that if your boyfriend/girlfriend didn't want to be with you, then they wouldn't be volunteering to go through the same heartache that you're going through. You both wish you could be together, so don't get too caught up on the hardships of being apart, and try to make the experience as positive as you can.
With these 11 tips, you will be on your way to seeing your significant other again soon, with minimal heartache.
