The pandemic has affected different aspects of our lives: our routine, our work, and our relationships with community quarantine guidelines keeping us away from our friends, our families, and our significant others. Couples have been kept from seeing each other. Being apart for too long is a challenge; which begs the question, what does it take to maintain a long-distance relationship?
Foundation and Structure
Like a building, it’s important to have a strong foundation. In a relationship, this foundation should be built on mutual trust, respect, and affection. Your foundation sets the grounds for how you will adjust to being apart. Structure in a long-distance relationship is essential. This way, there is accountability.
Set a schedule with your partner
Plot out a routine. You can agree to call each other at specific times, block out certain days of the week to spend quality time together, and of course, put in extra effort during special occasions.
Set boundaries
Boundaries are important whether you are in a long-distance relationship or not. Being apart makes it more challenging to communicate your needs and transgressions. By setting boundaries, you are both aware of the Do’s and Don’ts to ensure your partner feels secure.
Creativity
Physical intimacy is an important factor in a relationship. Without it, it’s difficult to express your affection for someone. It’s even more difficult to make amends during times of conflict. How do you compensate for the lack of physical intimacy? By breaking through the barriers of traditional ways to show affection
Netflix and chill
It’s easier to bond remotely these days. We’re blessed with instant messaging, video calling, and streaming apps. We’re even luckier now that there’s Teleparty (which used to be known as Netflix Party). It’s a Google Chrome extension that allows you to watch shows on Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO. Want to have a movie night with your partner without having to say “three, two, one, play” to make sure you start the video together? This is the answer.
Have fancy date nights
Who says you can’t have a candlelit dinner together through video call? Order each other food, get a candle, light it up, and voila! Just like you were eating out together at a restaurant.
Find other ways to show your love
In the same way that we’re lucky to have Teleparty, we’re lucky to have online shopping sites, too. Surprise your partner with gifts. If you’re less materialistic and more sentimental, you can send them handwritten letters. You don’t even have to go through the trouble of mailing it to them.
Pro-Tip: write it down and scan it through Dropbox. The app has a Scan Document feature. They can save it on their phone or opt to print it out for the whole experience of receiving your letter. Another way to show your love is by ordering them food or drinks with food delivery apps.
Send each other lots of photos and videos
This shows the instances in a day that they cross your mind. You passed by a tree and thought of them? Take a photo of that tree and let them know. Thought you looked cute that day and wanted them to see? Send them a selfie.
Maintaining a long-distance relationship can be hard, but our world today provides many tools to make it easier. Use these tools to your advantage. Trust me, the possibilities are endless.