How to Make A Long Distance Relationship Work

Share something. Create something that you both can access and share, such as an online blog or scrapbook. This will give you a new way to communicate while also giving you the sense of creating something together. You might create a food blog with your culinary adventures, Instagram your workouts, or create a special Twitter hashtag just for you two.

• Share your online calendars too. If you miss each other, you’ll have someplace to look to see why. You’ll also have something to talk about, as in “How was the concert last night?”

Do the same things at the same time. This will make the distance between you seem smaller and more bridgeable. You’ll feel closer together and you’ll be bonding at the same time. If you’re unsure of things to do, try one of the following:

• Plan to cook the same meal on the same day. If neither of you are into cooking, you might just plan to eat the same cuisine or snack.
• Read the same book or article. You can even take turns reading it aloud to each other.
• Watch a TV show or movie simultaneously. Keep a call open and share your reactions.
• Use video phones to chat while having meals or watching movies together.
• Sleep together. You can both get on the phone or video chat and fall asleep together. Doing this occasionally can make you feel closer.

Learn together. Choose a project you’d both like to do, like take an online language class or learn how to knit. Do whatever you’re both interested in. This will give you a wonderful sense of shared history and you’ll have something that really ties you together. It’s also a great way to spend time together while giving you something to talk about.

• Take advantage of the internet. You could play an online multiplayer game or something traditional, like chess. Either way, you can chat while playing, giving you a greater feeling of togetherness.

Make each other feel special. Try to do little things that let the other person know that you care. You may write love letters and send them in the mail. Or, send small gifts, cards, or flowers for no reason. It’s easier than ever to find ways to send almost anything to your partner.

• Don’t feel as though you can send something that makes a grand gesture. The little, frequent things are just as important as making the person feel special on special occasions.

Pursue common interests. Try new things together, even if it means doing them apart. This way, you’re not just talking on the phone, which can be a pitfall of long-distance relationships if it’s the only thing you ever do. Instead, do something romantic like stargazing while you’re on the phone. Synchronize and set your watches to go off at the same time every day, and make it a point to think of each other when your watch goes off.

• Remind yourself that your partner is thinking of you while you do these activities together, even though you’re far apart. It can strengthen your bond.

Create connections. It’s important to feel like you have a place in your partner’s life. Try meeting one another’s friends, online or off. This will help you understand more of your partner’s life and make communication easier.

• If one of you must someday move so that you can be together, that person will be leaving friends behind. Start right away to begin a new social and professional network for the partner who is moving.