Distance makes the heart grow fonder.
I lived with my boyfriend for two years before he had to leave to Australia. It took a while getting used to it but being in a healthy long-distance relationship has provided me with a deeper understanding of love and dating. People nowadays live with the mentality that relationships in their twenties won’t last, but honestly, if you are not going to try work things out with your other half now, then when?
Hookups, they don’t last nor do they fill any voids. All this while I have read so many posts on long-distance relationships — some on how to make it work and most about why it won’t work and even worse, why I won’t be successful because of it.
While to each their own, I really believe that distance does not affect the success of a relationship as it’s more about the two people involved. My worst relationship was with a guy who lived less than a mile away from me.
Relationships require work, no matter how compatible two people are together. If you are with the right person and the timing suits your lives, long distance can be spectacular.
Some of you might totally agree with me and some of you might think I am fooling myself but here are some reasons why I believe long-distance relationships can work.
1. The little things are the highlights of your day
When I get a text from my boyfriend, I get pretty excited. I can be in the worse of moods, but one text from him and a smile just appears on my face. There is just something so soothing about knowing that there is a person hundreds of miles away who is thinking of me.
Ever hear of the saying “you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone”? Well it’s pretty much like that. You go from seeing each other face-to-face everyday to not seeing each other at all, except for the occasional Skype or FaceTime dates and that will make you love and appreciate the small things your partner does for you to a higher degree.
2. You’ll become more in touch with your sexuality
In a long-distance relationship, it is inevitable that you become a part-time porn star. You will eventually have to have dirty talks, exchange naughty pictures and have phone/Skype/FaceTime sex to keep things spicy.
You will quickly shed all insecurities as a result of letting go of your inhibitions, making it a healthy exploration to discover what you like, what you don’t and what works for you.
3. You hang on to your independent spirit
Call your girlfriends because it is time for a girls night out! Just because you are dating someone does not mean your relationship is the main thing that defines you and your interests. Use this opportunity to be meet up with your friends, go out for drinks and explore new hobbies.
4. You start embracing your natural beauty
Silky smooth shaved legs, not something you have to worry so much about anymore. Your man is miles away, so unless you are planning to hookup with someone else or you are wearing a dress or anything that shows off your legs, shaving is not necessary. But of course, we totally advocate personal grooming – what we’re saying is, you don’t have to constantly beautify yourself for your other half.
5. Planning when you get to be together is exciting
Being apart is exhausting. The time difference, the difference in lifestyle — it gets really tiring but getting to plan the times you get to be together is an unbelievable rush of excitement. You will cherish the times you get with each other and it will be just like falling in love with each other all over again.
6. You can experience the best of a new city
One of the best things about long-distance relationships is that you get to visit your sweetheart. You get to travel to a new city, new country and go to fun restaurants and bars with your other half, hang out with his social circle and do everything a tourist would do without the common hassles of being a traveller.
7. You only tolerate good communication
Communication is key. I have put up with too many guys who had troubles communicating — failing to text, failing to translate how they felt and honestly, if you and your boyfriend have trouble communicating, it is not going to work.
Long-distance relationships work best when couples talk regularly, FaceTime or Skype. Miscommunications happen all the time, so expressing yourself clearly and asking for that in return is extremely important.
8. There is no better feeling than seeing him again
Seeing him again after months apart, is by far the best thing in the world. You get butterflies in your tummy and you will never, ever, take being by his side for granted again.
Now, if you are planning to get into a long-distance relationship, do it. If you are both ready, then there’s really no harm in trying should the situation ever arise. Things can work better than you know.
