5 Ways to Keep Long-Distance Relationships Strong

Do you ever feel like the distance is unbearable?

You can talk on the phone or video chat but it's just not the same as them being there in person, to touch, to hold, to laugh with, to kiss? Long-distance relationships are a reality many of us face when life moves our partners away from us for one reason or another.

Maybe it's school, work, military, health, or financial constraints keeping you apart. Maybe all the happiness and joy you may have felt in the past is now overshadowed by bickering and fighting.

We've all asked ourselves at some point, "Is it worth it anymore?"

But don't give up!

Here are 5 ways to keep your long-distance relationship strong, exciting, and fulfilling:

1. Trust them

You need to feel confident that if your partner goes and hangs out with friends that they will maintain their loyalty, dignity, and respect for your feelings. If you're uncomfortable with something they're doing, tell them! But guilting them into feeling like they can't go out, do things, or have fun without you is a sure way to breed resentment.

2. Be independent

You need to have your OWN life too! Having activities, hobbies, and friends outside of your partner is a crucial part of making sure your relationship stays healthy and balanced. There's nothing worse than feeling like you're stuck at home waiting for your partner to call while they're off busy with something in their lives. It's normal and natural for each of you to form separate social circles due to the distance, but that doesn't mean your lives can't be complementary.

3. Make time for them

When we're NOT in a long-distance relationship, we sometimes take for granted all of the little things you might do together, such as eating breakfast, grocery shopping, watching TV, etc. This makes it even MORE important to make sure you allocate time to spend together, as busy as each of your lives may be. Maybe it's 30 minutes a day on the phone, maybe it's less, maybe it's more. You have to try HARDER than the normal couple because of the distance. Putting in the effort to communicate regularly will ensure you keep that emotional connection.

4. Have "dates" together

Just because you're apart doesn't mean you can't still have dates together! Pull up Skype and eat dinner together or watch something on Netflix and chat throughout. You can still bond even though you're not physically together.

5. Plan for your future together

There IS a light at the end of the tunnel! Your relationship probably won't be long-distance forever. Typically it will come to an end once school is over, work transfers your partner back home, they return from the military, etc. When times get tough, try to focus on the countdown until you're together. Remember, if you can get through this, your relationship will be strong as nails and you guys will be able to get through anything!

This issue I wrote a long time ago but it was just left in my draft adding on to it as time goes by. Now I thought ok it's time to publish it so that people out there having problems in their long distance relationships dont give up.

Stay bless. Love y'all xoxo ML

3 signs that shows they TRULY love you

Do you ever wonder if your partner truly loves you? Maybe they say it to you sometimes, but you still ask yourself how devoted they are to you. Will they be there through thick and thin? Will they be there for you not only at your best, but at your worst? Can they actually give you what you WANT in life?

There are 3 signs to know whether they truly love you:

1. It's not what they SAY, it's what they DO

Do your partner's actions align with their words? Making overtures about their love for you is nice but if they continue to do things that illustrate their lack of love for you, then what value are their words? You'll know you've got a keeper when you find it hard to remember the last time they said one thing, but did another.

2. They love you for YOU

Have you ever been in a relationship where it seemed like your partner was never satisfied with who you are? Maybe you're in a relationship like that now. No matter how hard you try, they've always got a derogatory comment about some way in which you can change or improve. Someone who truly loves you accepts you for who you are! It's never too late to stand up for yourself and tell them how you feel.

3. They ALWAYS consider your feelings

One of the clearest signs your partner truly loves you is that they show you genuine empathy. In fact, they often put your wants, needs, and feelings before their own. They would never dream of making a major life decision, especially one that impacts both of you, without consulting you first. True love is about compassion, integrity, and mutual respect.

Often times our partners DO truly love us but our own insecurities prevent the relationship from progressing.