

{"id":37800,"date":"2019-05-13T11:47:43","date_gmt":"2019-05-13T11:47:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=37800"},"modified":"2024-11-17T06:31:50","modified_gmt":"2024-11-17T06:31:50","slug":"starting-a-long-distance-relationship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/starting-a-long-distance-relationship\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Tips for Starting a Long-Distance Relationship"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-37803 size-full\" title=\"Starting a Long Distance Relationship &ndash; How to Go About It!\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Starting-a-Long-Distance-Relationship-%E2%80%93-How-to-Go-About-It1.jpg\" alt=\"Starting a Long Distance Relationship &ndash; How to Go About It!\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The idea of being in a relationship can be effortlessly beautiful. As much as they have been romanticized, relationships also have a good amount of complexity associated with them. Starting a long distance relationship is another level of intricacy.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starting a long-distance relationship requires patience and a lot of effort. A newly dating, long-distance couple needs to maintain composure even when their emotions are heightened, and they miss physically being with their significant other.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How-to-make-a-long-distance-relationship-work\"><\/span><b>How to make a long distance relationship work?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Falling in love with someone who is miles apart and starting a long distance relationship is not a new concept anymore. As per a study carried out in 2005, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/relationshipsadvice.co\/long-distance-relationship-statistics\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10% of all marriages<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the US started as a long distance dating relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Long distance relationships and dating require a certain level of understanding along with an intense desire to keep the relationship going. One of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/tips-to-build-long-lasting-relationships\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">long-lasting tips<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for a long distance relationship is to make it a point to arrange regular ldr dates or long distance dates.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-are-the-stages-of-a-long-distance-relationship-10-phases\"><\/span><b>What are the stages of a long distance relationship: 10 phases<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Long distance or not, every <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/stages-of-a-long-distance-relationship\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">relationship has its stages<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. When starting a long distance relationship, a person experiences similar levels. Once you cross the initial, long distance talking stage, you may experience the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You start romancing this person and agree to enter a relationship<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accepting distance and making romantic long distance promises to each other<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Constantly checking on each other to stay in touch<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Facing anxiety and missing your partner on a daily basis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surprising them with gifts and unexpected long distance dates.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Waiting and planning for an upcoming meeting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being depressed after a recent meeting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Re-evaluating if this will work in the long run<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Staying committed no matter what<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Growing and maturing in your relationship<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read more on dealing with relationship anxiety <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychalive.org\/how-to-deal-with-relationship-anxiety\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-47722\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/starting-a-long-distance-relationship-managing-jealousy.jpg\" alt=\"starting a long distance relationship-handling jealousy\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10-tips-for-starting-a-long-distance-relationship\"><\/span><b>10 tips for starting a long distance relationship<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After starting long distance relationships, it is a good idea to know beforehand what a person is signing up for. While loyalty and commitment are the basis of all kinds of relationships, there are a few additional things one can follow for a strong and healthy long distance equation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Be prepared for a rollercoaster ride of emotions<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One day can be incredible with an awesome online <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/romance\/romantic-evenings-ideas\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">date evening<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with your object of interest. The next day may be less amazing. When you are having differences over certain things and your partner is not available to talk, it can totally turn the table around.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These sorts of high and low points can give you an emotional jerk, and they can feel alarming. They can make you question the relationship altogether. It would help if you were prepared for this experience when starting a long distance relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Make some rules and abide by them<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Misunderstandings are one of the most common long-distance relationship problems. A couple wouldn&rsquo;t want their bond to get affected by assumptions, especially when starting a long distance relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What a couple can do is set some rules and boundaries and be crystal clear on how to follow them. Mutually agree on what to expect from each other when miles apart. Following some relationship rituals would make less room for second thoughts and misunderstandings.<\/span><\/p>\n<pre><b><i>Related Reading<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/rules-for-a-healthy-relationship\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">25 Essential Rules for a Successful Relationship<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n<h3><b>3. Beware of jealousy<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are wondering how to keep a long distance relationship from going off the rails, know this &ndash; you may get envious if your significant other is becoming too friendly with someone else and you aren&rsquo;t physically present to see that.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your significant other could simply be enjoying drinks with their friends, which could leave you thinking something otherwise. Jealousy is a bitter truth about long distance dating but what matters is how much you trust them and how you handle the situation.<\/span><\/p>\n<pre><b><i>Related Reading<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/signs-of-jealousy-in-a-relationship\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15 Signs of Jealousy in a Relationship<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n<h3><b>4. Try to communicate creatively<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/communication\/6-effective-ways-for-communication\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Proper communication<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> fuels a long distance relationship right from the beginning and helps shape it better. Keep the communication regular and try to be creative with it at times. You can send short audio or video clips or pictures of doing something interesting throughout the day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">According to <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/experts\/christiana-njoku\" target=\"_blank\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Christiana Njoku<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, a licensed professional counselor:<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Communication is very key in every relationship, particularly in keeping up and connecting with partners in a long distance relationship.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sending sensual texts to your special someone is another great way to keep things engaging between the two of you! This is one of the popular long-distance relationship tips that couples swear by.<\/span><\/p>\n<pre><b><i>Related Reading<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/effective-relationship-communication-skills\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 Effective Communication Skills in Relationships for Healthy Marriages<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n<h3><b>5. Don&rsquo;t let the distance hold you back<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even while starting a long distance relationship, there is no limit to the number of things you can do for and with your partner. Here&rsquo;s a list of some of the simple activities that serve as great long-distance relationship tips:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sing to each other on a video call<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start shopping online together and buy little gifts for each other<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Go for a shared meditation session<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Go for a walk together. You can start a video call while beginning the stroll<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Binge on YouTube videos or web series together at the same time<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Opt for the same workout program and track your progress<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get long distance relationship rings for the two of you.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-47723\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/starting-a-long-distance-relationship-communicating-creatively.jpg\" alt=\"starting a long distance relationship-communicating creatively\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<h3><b>6. Take out &lsquo;me time&rsquo;<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starting a long distance relationship doesn&rsquo;t mean that you have to put all your focus on staying connected with your partner. Making such relationships work also includes remembering who you are as an individual. In fact, it can be an admirable quality in a partner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Christiana Njoku further adds:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>While you are in a long-distance relationship and trying to keep up with your partner, never lose yourself as you do; your life should not revolve around your partner.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep some time aside for yourself. Introspect on your personal goals and ambitions. Engage in activities that give you pleasure. Enjoying an ample amount of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/selecthealth.org\/blog\/2019\/05\/why-you-need-to-make-time-for-self-care\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">me time<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can feel liberating, especially when going through troubled times.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>7. Don&rsquo;t communicate too much<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over-communication can make your partner feel that you&rsquo;re being possessive or clingy. Some couples believe that talking too much or too frequently is a way to compensate for not being physically together. But this can actually become a point of dissatisfaction for both or either of you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember that you both have a life apart from your relationship and it is important to pay attention to those aspects, as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>8. Be honest<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/honesty-in-a-relationship\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be open and honest<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with them. The more you try to hide from them, the more suspicious and frustrated they will get. It is okay to share your insecurities and vulnerabilities with your partner. This will make them trust you even more and form a deeper layer of attachment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask them for support when you need it and let them know how important a role they are playing in your life.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>9. Plan collective milestones<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&rsquo;ve been into a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/signs-she-wants-a-serious-relationship-with-you\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">serious relationship<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and are willing to continue it for years to come, it&rsquo;s good to prepare a combined checklist for you and your partner. Plan, discuss and note down all the milestones you want to achieve as a couple in the near future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Milestones are a good way to keep yourself motivated and inspired. When starting a long distance relationship, plan out methods to reach every successive goal and enjoy the process meanwhile.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>10. Give personalized gifts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Personalized gifts are always special, be it any relationship. Planning something lavish is unnecessary; just a simple, thoughtful gift can convey your feelings to your loved one. A plain <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/love\/love-letters-for-her\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">love letter<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can also go a long way in sustaining the warmth and affection between two people.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arrange for things in advance for all occasions, especially birthdays and anniversaries. Make sure to give them an enriching experience that they can remember for a really long time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Commonly-asked-questions\"><\/span><b>Commonly asked questions<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starting a long distance relationship can make you speculate over plenty of things. Let&rsquo;s deep dive into some of the frequently asked questions in terms of long distance <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/dating-vs-relationship\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">relationships or dating<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Is starting a long-distance relationship a good idea?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The question as to whether starting a long distance relationship is a good decision or not is purely subjective and can have different answers for different people. This topic can not be generalized as it depends on the mindset and desires of the two people entering the relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What you can do here is be clear on your priorities and wants in the longer run. Analyze your preparedness to start something as serious as a long distance relationship and take your call.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Do long-distance relationships usually last?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While some long distance couples might separate their ways within a year of dating, there can be instances of long distance relationships converting into <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/15-key-secrets-to-a-successful-marriage\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">successful marriages<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A couple intensely committed to each other may never have to worry about the length of their courtship. How long a relationship would last is directly related to the efforts and determination of the two people involved.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-47725\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/starting-a-long-distance-relationship-be-secure-with-me-time.jpg\" alt=\"starting a long distance relationship-being secure with me time\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Takeaway\"><\/span><b>Takeaway<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starting any relationship is easy but what&rsquo;s not is keeping up with it. It takes a lot of patience, thought and resilience to make the best out of a long-distance relationship. These days, opting for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/counseling\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">couples therapy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is also an option to build a strong relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a little effort, you can have a heartwarming and fulfilling experience while in a long-distance relationship. Whenever you start feeling overwhelmed, just remember why you decided to be in a relationship with your partner in the first place.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":""},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The idea of being in a relationship can be effortlessly beautiful. As much as they have been romanticized, relationships also have a good amount of complexity associated with them. Starting a long distance relationship is another level of intricacy.&nbsp; Starting a long-distance relationship requires patience and a lot of effort. A newly dating, long-distance couple needs to maintain composure even when their emotions are heightened, and they miss physically being with their significant other. How to make a long distance relationship work? Falling in love with someone who is miles apart and starting a long distance relationship is not a <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1419,"featured_media":37803,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2502],"tags":[2607],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37800"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1419"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37800"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37800\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":105816,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37800\/revisions\/105816"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37800"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37800"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37800"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}