By Asma Farooq, Wadiya Raza, Abdul Moiz, Fatima Anwar, Sahrish Ahmed, Nimr Latifi
In this age of digitalization, a relationship can work even if a couple is a thousand miles away. Those days are gone when you had to wait for weeks and months to hear back from your distant companion. Maintaining contact is just a click away today, thanks to the multiple social media applications available on our phones. One might find the idea of having such a relationship weak or unstable. However, these are few ways with which you can maintain the spark in your long-distant relationship:
1. Do things you both like, together
Playing games online, Netflix and chill, sharing your favourite love quotes, and sending each other gifts is a great way to bond. You might not be able to show your tears to your partner when Jack had to let go off the plank to save Jane, but this practice can definitely bring both of you close. After all, the best relationships are those in which you laugh and weep together.
2. Keep your partner in the picture
Instead of sharing how excited you were to discover this new cool place, let your partner know how much you wanted them to be with you to enjoy it.
3. Keep the time zones in mind
Keep the time zones in mind, as you two might be living in two different parts of the world. This would also make your partner feel special.
4. Communication is the key
What do people really want in a relationship? Someone who would hear them out, let them express who they really are and how they really feel at certain times. Talk to your partner more often. Share the diminutive details of your happiness and give each other reasons to talk.
5. Make efforts to see each other at least once in a while
Travelling could be very expensive, so when you're both in the same town or city, make the effort to see each other regularly, or try and meet at a place midway. There is another cheaper option that you could use to see each other more often – video chat!
6. Be there for your partner
You can’t be there for your partner 24/7, but it's very important to at least give them few minutes of your time each day. Tell them about your day and ask them about theirs. Or at least drop them a good morning or a gratifying good night text.
7. Value your alone-time
Just because you’re in a relationship, it should not mean that you are bound to share everything all the time. They say that excess affection kills the vibe. At times the more a person waits for something, the more he or she values it. Value the time you get for yourself and do the things that you love.
8. Value time with your friends and family members
If you spend too much time thinking or chatting with your partner, there is a chance that you will ruin the relationships with the people that are physically around you. Your siblings, your parents, your colleagues and your friends need you to be with them. If you are too occupied with the thoughts of your partner, your real life will have no space for the things happening around you.
9. Give each other space
Always give each other space. The key to a great relationship is respecting each other’s privacy. Your partner too is a human being, and we all have phases in our life. Let each other be. Come back to them later and let them heal themselves with time.
10. Share gifts!
Send each other special things that have a sentimental value to them that you both can connect with. Gifts always have a special place in our hearts. The best moments in life are the most unexpected. The trick is to make each other feel thankful, for their presence in your life.
11. Compromise
You need to learn to compromise on a lot of things. Relationships are not all smooth-sailing. There are storms and there are strong winds. But it is all worth it when you find peace in the calm and the crystal blue of the sea.
12. Have a relationship coach
Have a friend or a family member from each side to moderate your relationship and support you when things get tough. It’s always good to have someone from their side to coach your relationship.
13. Be open with each other
Clear out the air, talk to each other. Don’t keep your anger inside for long, vent it out, share their weaknesses and the things you dislike. But more so, try solving your problems. Look for reasons to improve your relationship.
14. Always have something to look forward to
This could be the next time you plan to meet, or even a nightly Skype session. When there is nothing to look forward to, when times are hard, some couples may lose hope as they no longer see a light at the end of the tunnel.
15. Be aware of each other’s schedules
Knowing each other’s schedules would allow you to live a more managed life. Even though you are not physically next to them, you are still aware of what position they are emotionally in. Not knowing each other’s schedules would not only just result in loss of communication and a weak synchronization, but could also lead to bouts of resentment.
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