DAILY SPRINGS: SURVIVING A DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP

By Gift Eniye & Emmanuel Chiedu SB

What comes to mind when you think about surviving a long-distance relationship? Do you experience negative or positive emotions? Being in a long-distance relationship is a challenge, but definitely worthwhile if you are committed to developing your relationship.

Whether you have been in a long-distance relationship for a while, or recently started a long-distance relationship, it’s important for the both of you to be on the same page because a long-distance relationship can either bring the two of you closer together, or pull you further apart.

Many people believe that long distance relationships are never going to work out. Your family may discourage it, and some of your best friends may advise you not to take it too seriously, in case you get your heart broken.

The extra distance makes many things unachievable. Things could get complicated, and you could get sad and lonely at times. However, the extra distance also makes the simplest things, the sweetest, being able to hold the other person’s hand, eating together at the same table, feeling each other’s touch, taking a walk together… these small wishes could suddenly mean so much more in a long distance relationship.

Below are some tips of surviving long distance relationship:

1. Avoid excessive communication. It can make you run out on things to say and make bored at times. This from experience always raises dust. When you communicate too much, you end up quarreling over little things, it also creates lack of interest.

2. See it as an opportunity. If you must be together, you must first learn how to live apart. Being away from your partner makes you appreciate them more when you are with them. Believe me, it is okay to miss someone you love.

"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart. I'll stay there forever." - Alan A. Milne.

3. Both of you need to be clear with what you expect of with each other during this long distance relationship. Set some ground rules so that none of you will do things that will take the other party by surprise.

4. Try to communicate regularly, and creatively.Greet each other “Good morning” and “Good night” every day — this is a must. On top of that, try to update your partner on your life and its happening. To up the game, send each other pictures, audio clips and short videos from time to time. By putting in this kind of effort, you make the other person feel loved and attended to.

5. Avoid “dangerous” situations. If you already know that going to the club or going drinking with your group of friends late at night will displease your partner, then you should either 1. Not do it or 2. Tell your partner beforehand so as to reassure him/her.

6. Visit each other. This explains itself. It is important you fuel the love occasionally. Every month, or 2/3 months is recommended.

7. Have one goal in mind. It is important the both of you are on the same page. Have a clear idea of what you both want and work together to achieve it.

Just hearing the words “long distance relationship” sends many people into a tizzy, but if you’re determined to make it work, it’s possible—but not without a solid plan. You can do a lot of things to make it better, but the most important tip is this: always know when you’re seeing each other next, and have an end game plan. Having goals to look forward to keeps you out of the depressing limbo that long distance relationships so often cause. And for heaven’s sake, if you’re going to sex, at least do it safely.

_*Distance is never a barrier when love is true*_

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