Top Long Distance Relationship Do’s and Don’ts

Long distance relationships are HARD. It honestly sucks not being able to see your significant other on a daily, weekly, or sometimes even monthly basis. My boyfriend and I have been long distance for almost a year and a half now, and with my work schedule we usually only manage to see each other once or twice a month. Because of this, it is important to establish some long distance relationship do’s and don’ts. Here are the most important long distance relationship do’s and don’ts.

Long Distance Relationship Do’s and Don’ts

DO: Talk to each other often

Communication is key. You do not need to be talking to one another every second of the day, but it is important to have a steady flow of communication. I think it is important to send a good morning text to start the day, and always say goodnight before going to bed.

DON’T: Ignore one another

It is okay to not feel like talking, but don’t ignore each other. It is always better to let the other person know you want some time to yourself, so that it doesn’t start an argument by you ignoring them, or their feelings get hurt.

DO: Make plans together

I think it is so important to make plans of things you want to do together. Having plans even as small as going to the movies next time you see one another makes it so much more exciting when you’re reunited.

DON’T: Expect them to always be free when you are

You will have different schedules, and that is okay! You can’t expect them to always be free when you are, so it is important to plan times when you can talk to one another.

DO: Use FaceTime often

FaceTime is the next best thing to being with them. I use FaceTime every single day with my boyfriend. It is great to be able to see your significant other’s face, and helps to make not seeing them a little bit more bearable. Another great thing with FaceTime is that you can use it to do things together. My boyfriend and I often watch a show on Netflix or a movie together, so it is like we are having a date, even though we are miles apart!

DON’T: Have one person do all the traveling

It is important that the both of you are traveling to see one another if possible. If just one person in the relationship is constantly traveling they may start to resent the other. A good way you can overcome this is by meeting halfway, planning little trips away, or taking turns at visiting one another.

DO: Know when you are going to see each other next

Saying goodbye is always hard. Knowing the next time you will see each other again makes it that little bit easier. If you are able to, plan the next time you will see each other before your current visit ends.

DON’T: Take out frustrations on one another

Long distance is frustrating, but it is important to not to take your frustrations out on one another. If you are feeling frustrated talk to one another about it, but do not let this frustration ruin your relationship. 

DO: Have a life outside of your relationship

It is important that the both of you still have a life outside of your relationship. Make sure that you are still seeing your friends and doing activities that you love. 

DON’T: Argue over text

Texting can be great for keeping in contact with one another, but arguing over text? Not such a good idea. Try to talk out any arguments on the phone or FaceTime, and they will get resolved much easier. 

DO: Trust one another

No relationship is going to work without trust, but especially not long distance relationships. A lack of trust can lead to jealousy and paranoia, which will not help your relationship by any means. 

DON’T: Give your significant other a reason not to trust you

If your boyfriend or girlfriend feels uncomfortable with you doing something and you do it anyway, they are going to trust you less. Don’t do things that give your significant other a reason not to trust you, because once trust is gone it can be very hard to earn back.

DO: Share your location with one another

This is important  as it can help to eliminate some of the worry. You can see where they are, and also know if they are in class or at work, so you don’t call them while they’re busy. It also means you can check if one another got home safely on a night out too.

DON’T: Take your time together for granted

You don’t get to spend a whole lot of time together, so don’t take it for granted! Make sure you enjoy the time you do get to spend with each other, and do fun things together. While sometimes it is nice to just relax all day long, it is also important to get out and go on dates with one another, and create great memories. 

DO: Have an end date in sight

This is one of the most important long distance relationship do’s and don’ts in my opinion. Long distance relationships can feel like they are NEVER. GOING. TO. END. Try and make an end date of when the two of you will be in the same city. Having this end date in site helps to make being long distance easier, as you know it isn’t forever.

DON’T: Communicate purely via text or social media

It is so important to be communicating a number of ways. To me, texting and social media is not as personal as FaceTime or a phone call. 

DO: Surprise one another

It is important to surprise one another every now and again! This can be anything from sending a care package, to a surprise visit, just something to show how much you care. 

I hope these long distance relationship do’s and don’ts have been helpful! If you have anymore long distance relationship do’s and don’ts I would love to hear them. As always, thanks for reading!