Long-Distance Relationship Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

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With the advent of the Internet, social media, and other forms of technology, couples in a long-distance relationship (LDR) are no longer as doomed as they used to be. However, keeping an LDR alive still isn’t a walk in the park; in fact, you might find that maintaining your relationship is one of the biggest challenges you’ll ever encounter.

But does this mean you should give up? Not really! With effort and dedication, you and your partner can build a strong foundation that will help you weather any challenge that comes your way.

Begin your journey by identifying the pitfalls that often plague long-distance relationships and learning how to get around them. Here are some of the issues you need to avoid:

Pitfall #1: Having different daily routines

This is a huge but highly common problem for LDR couples, particularly those who live in different countries and are in different time zones. Even if you’re geographically close, it’s still easy to develop clashing schedules that leave you with barely any time to catch up with each other.

Fortunately, you can counter this problem by adjusting your routine however you can and making it a point to connect with each other as much as possible. This will undoubtedly require both of you to make some sacrifices, but it’s worth the hassle since it will lead to a stronger relationship and a deeper bond.

Go through your daily and weekly schedule and see where you can make adjustments to have more time for your partner. For instance, instead of spending your weekends running errands, consider automating your banking needs and having your groceries delivered so you can spend a few more hours with each other.

Pitfall #2: Not having enough physical intimacy

The lack of physical connection in LDRs often makes people wonder, “Can long-distance relationships work?” The answer differs from one couple to another, but you can change it to a resounding “Yes!” if you know what to do.

Start by planning as many visits as possible. These will obviously be limited by your finances, work schedule, and other factors, but you should find ways to spend more physical time together.

In between visits, consider sending care packages with items that remind you of each other. Some examples include a soft blanket that your partner has slept in and smells like them, as well as a love letter that you’ve spritzed your favorite perfume on.

Having objects that you can touch and smell can alleviate some of the loneliness that you feel and help you become closer to each other.

Pitfall #3: Developing excessive feelings of jealousy

Retroactive jealousy and other forms of distrust are present in many relationships, and they become even more prevalent in LDRs since you’re not always physically together. Different couples deal with jealousy in different ways, but whichever method you use, you must nip it in the bud and strive to foster trust in each other.

Keep your communication lines open all the time, and don’t be afraid to start honest conversations and say what’s on your mind. If jealousy becomes a bigger issue for you and your partner, don’t hesitate to book a few sessions with a trusted couples therapist.

With their help, you’ll gain access to tools and techniques that will help you communicate in more effective ways and eventually banish the green-eyed monster from your relationship.

Maintaining LDRs definitely isn’t easy. However, it’s worth every ounce of effort and sacrifice since it can pave the way to the strong and fulfilling relationship that you and your partner deserve.

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This post was previously published on medium.com.