"I will never be in a long distance relationship. I don't do distance" (Hayes).
For the longest time, whenever the topic of LDRs (Long Distance Relationships) came up, I those words would immediately come out of my mouth. However, little did I know that a simple Christmas party I attended on December 18, 2015 would change everything. I reconnected with someone I met awhile ago last summer. We hit it off, and, on December 22, 2015, we became a couple. My biggest fear came true. I was dating a guy who went to a different college from me. Before I knew it, Christmas Break was over, and my new boyfriend and I were headed back to our colleges. He is my first real relationship, so not only was I new to this whole "relationship" thing, I had absolutely no experience being apart from someone I truly care about. But, I knew I liked this guy, and I was going to do anything I could possibly think of to make it work. Currently, three months later, my boyfriend and I are still together, surviving our LDR. With that being said, I'd like to share how you, yes you, can successfully survive your own LDR, too.
1. Schedule FaceTime/Skype dates
While you and your significant other cannot physically be together, FaceTime dates make the distance a little bit better. For my boyfriend and I, we have created a schedule for when we will FaceTime during the week. Find a time when you're not busy, and take a few hours or however long you have to have a face-to-face conversation. It makes a huge difference hearing their voice and seeing their smile.
2. Texting
This may seem like an obvious solution, but you'd be surprised how one simple text makes a difference when in a LDR. It varies for each relationship. Some LDR couples consistently text each other throughout the day, while there are some who send sweet and adorable good morning and goodnight texts. It's up to you, but knowing what your significant other is up to throughout the day will put your mind at ease.
3. Phone Calls
Ah, yes. the simple phone call. While it may seem unfashioned, sometimes all you need is a quick little phone call from your boyfriend/girlfriend throughout the day. There are some days I randomly miss my boy, so I randomly call him (When he's not in class of course) to say, "Hey what's up?" or just to tell him a random story. Trust me, you'd be shocked at how much fun random phone calls can be.
4. Journal
Having one of those days where you miss them so much you can't control all your emotions? Write it down. Write down how much it hurts not being in their arms. Write down how excited you are for the next time you see them. Write down random reasons why you love them. Just write until your hands go numb.
5. Start COUNTDOWNS!
My favorite way to make the distance easier is by having a countdown until my boyfriend and I see each other again. I know sometimes it feels like it'll be forever until you see him/her again, but I promise you countdowns make it much more positive and more encouraging. One thing I do is each day, I tell my friend who's in my Psychology class how many days are left until I see him. It brings excitement to the day and helps the days feel like they're going faster. Besides, what better way to be happy than to realize you're getting closer and closer to being in his/her arms?
So yes, long distance sucks, but you know something? It's worth it. Every day without them is another day closer to when you're with them. I'm not saying these tips are going to make your LDR perfect, but these are just a few ideas to survive being apart temporarily. Keep calm. You got this, and you CAN survive your LDR.
Stay Strong!
