Loneliness of the long-distance lover

By JENELLE CLEARY

You could be reading this while you are waiting for that e-mail reply from your long-distance partner - over the other side of the world - or country.

Before you start clicking away madly, thinking "That e-mail should be here by now!", here are some tips on surviving a long-distance relationship.

Keeping a relationship alive when you are close by can be difficult enough, let alone being hundreds of miles away.

If you both have access to e-mail then that is a must! Although don't ignore the traditional post. Receiving a personal, handwritten letter is rare nowadays and can be great, no matter how many words you write.

Get involved in activities outside of your normal, personal boundaries.

Join a community organisation, get involved in a sporting club, join craft classes, devote your time to entering competitions - anything! As long as you can fill the time you would normally be spending with your partner with enriching activities then the whole process of being apart becomes a lot easier and fulfilling.

The costs of long distance relationships can sometimes be a downfall. With phone calls, e-mail, postage and travel it may seem hard to keep the enthusiasm alive - having a saving plan to devote funds to your relationship may be a good idea.

You will have to budget just like in an everyday relationship and your goals will be travel or perhaps a present.

Absence is meant to make the heart grow fonder - set about proving this.

At times when you are feeling down and out, call a friend or write about how you are feeling.

Sharing these 'down' experiences is as important in celebrating the great - after all, when is a relationship all rosy from start to finish?

Being honest is as vital as if you were seeing each other each day. A simple "I am angry and frustrated because I miss you and I am sick of feeling like you are too busy for me now!" is better than pretending everything is OK and leading your partner to believe that as well.

If you want the relationship to end - courtesy steps in here. Let the person know straight away and don't put it off. Just because you haven't seen them in months, doesn't mean they are no longer a person with feelings.

Long-distance relationships can be a great challenge and can strengthen already amazing relationships.

Even though communicating may be easy these days nothing has changed when it comes to missing each other. So take it in your stride and start planning the visitation!

Links

Long-Distance Relationships At A Glance