ខ្មែរ
English
Long distance relationships can be difficult; anyone who has been in one knows this. The space between you doesn’t have to ruin a love connection though- if you’ve decided to stay committed even with the distance, there are many ways you can keep the relationship alive, healthy, happy, and even fun.
Be Happy
For the relationship to work, you need to be happy with yourself above all. If you can’t be content and alone, you’re setting you-and your partner-up for failure. Take the time you need to improve yourself whether it means enjoying your hobbies or finding out what you take most pleasure in and follow through with it. Your happiness will reflect on your relationship.
Chin Up
Focus on the good things about your relationship rather than dwelling on how difficult it is to be apart from each other. It’s important that you are open about your feelings with each other and to tell him that you miss him, but to keep things somewhat normal you’ve got to talk about the positive things going on within your lives and relationship rather than focusing solely on the difficulties.
Be Open
Both of you need to be realistic about your future goals and plans, as it will affect your relationship in the end. If you eventually do hope to move forward in your lives together, you need to be open and honest about your wants, needs, hopes, and plans so that if one of you has to relocate, you can begin to discuss that now. If you or he isn’t serious about moving for the other person, it might just be best to cut it off now to avoid more pain in the future.
Never Angry Text (or IM, or Skype…)
If you’re having an argument with your partner, one of the worst ways of dealing with it is to address things through a technological route where your tone and body language can’t be gauged. What you type may come across completely differently than how you mean it. Speak on the phone or better yet, Skype or FaceTime to have the closest to real connection as possible during this difficult session.
Sexy Texts
Phone and Skype sex will feel less forced if it’s not scheduled ahead. As you feel friskier throughout the day, send him (safely-make sure no one else has access to his texts, emails, or videos) little notes about what you’d like to do to him digitally when the time comes.
Face to Face
Try and spend actual physical time together as much as possible. It depends on your financial situation, the distance of travel, and time available-but see each other when you can so that the relationship can continue to feel like something tangible and real.
Keep Date Nights
While you can’t necessarily be sitting in the same restaurant or next to each other at the movie theater, arrange date nights so that you can spend time together doing the same things and enjoying them in tandem. Set up a Skype video chat or Facetime while watching the same television show or while having a meal, even playing a game online together can be a fun way to bring you two together even with miles between you
Surprise!
Find out your partner’s schedule with tact and plan a surprise visit. Make sure you don’t get in the way of any of his previous plans and if it’s a big trip you’re making, let him know a little bit in advance so he can be prepared but still stay excited for a last minute visit!
Bring Him In
While he might not be with you physically as much as you’d like, try to integrate him into your everyday life as much as possible. When you are able to spend time together in person, don’t keep him all to yourself. Spend time with your friends, go out, and do regular things together so that you can maintain a sense of normalcy.
Present Him Presents
It doesn’t have to be constant, but sending your partner a care package or even just a written note can mean the world. Send him things he’ll enjoy and use; just the thought really does count.
