Relationships are no doubt difficult in general, especially nowadays with social media, but to go into a long-distance one can be even more challenging, but it's worth it. There are multiple benefits to a long-distance that come along with the obvious disadvantages. Benefits include being able to be independent, still having your own life, it cetera. The disadvantages are more obvious, not being able to see your significant other for long periods of time, not being able to hold them or kiss them whenever you want because they're hundreds of miles away. But the distance is worth it if you care about the person. Going into a relationship that's long distance from the get-go can put an automatic strain on things, so before things become official you have to make sure you're prepared for the reality of it.
The reality of long-distance is that you have to always keep in mind that you are not going to be able to see this person whenever you want and that when you do get to see them that you make the time worthwhile. Plan things ahead of time, especially if you have to take a plane to see them. It is crucial that you work out dates that work for both of you to see each other because even though you are an important part of their life, they do have other things going on in their life (just like you do) that you are aware of like work, school, family, etc.
Make the most of your time you spend together. If you're anything like me, you love physical contact like hand-holding, hair playing, the little things. The day my significant other (SO) was leaving, I held his hand as much as I could, played with his hair, kissed him, I wanted to make sure I made every second count. As the time for him to leave came closer, he even told me that I got more clingy, although he wasn't complaining, he could tell that I was trying to make the most of it.
Know that the goodbyes are hard. Saying goodbye to my SO was extremely hard because I knew I wasn't going to be able to physically see him for at least a month, but I had to tell myself that I couldn't cry as it was something I needed to get used to if the relationship is going to work. I knew that this was just the first goodbye of hopefully many, and that with each one it will hopefully get a little easier.
Trust is a huge must to make things work. With distance comes fear and anxiety over the fact that you don't really know what they're doing, who there with, etc. But you have to trust your SO even if you're like me and have major trust issues, you have to be able to get past them. I have horrible trust issues as many of my previous articles have shown, but with my SO I had to push them aside and instore my trust in him that he'll stay loyal. I know I have to be able to trust that he won't do anything that would hurt me.
You have to let them live their own life while you live yours. That means letting your SO go to the club, go to parties, and entrusting them to do the right things. You have to be able to do the same will they have to trust you to do the right things.
Relationships are difficult without the additional pressures of distance, but if you are able to understand the reality of long-distance, you should be able to go the distance in a long distance relationship.
