Long distance marriages are not uncommon in today’s world. Whether it is due to work, study, military service, or other reasons, many couples have to face the challenge of living apart from their spouses for a period of time. While this can be difficult and stressful, it does not mean that the marriage is doomed to fail. In fact, there are many benefits of a long distance marriage, such as having more time for yourself, developing your personal goals, and appreciating your partner more.
However, a long distance marriage also requires a lot of effort, commitment, and communication to keep the relationship strong and healthy. Here are some tips on how to do that.
1. Communicate regularly and creatively
Communication is the key to any relationship, but especially so for a long distance marriage. You need to stay in touch with your partner on a daily basis, share your feelings, thoughts, plans, and challenges. You also need to express your love, support, and appreciation for each other.
However, communication does not have to be boring or routine. You can spice it up by using different methods and platforms, such as phone calls, video calls, text messages, emails, letters, online games, social media, etc. You can also surprise your partner with unexpected gestures, such as sending flowers, gifts, photos, videos, or poems. You can also watch a movie or a TV show together online and comment on it as you go.
The important thing is to make your communication meaningful and engaging. Don’t just talk about the weather or the news. Talk about your dreams, fears, hopes, and desires. Ask open-ended questions and listen actively. Be honest and respectful. And don’t forget to have fun and laugh together.
2. Trust and respect each other
Trust is essential for any relationship, but especially for a long distance marriage. You need to trust that your partner is faithful, honest, and loyal to you. You also need to respect their choices, opinions, and boundaries.
To build trust and respect in a long distance marriage, you need to avoid secrets, lies, and suspicions. You need to be transparent about your activities, whereabouts, and feelings. You need to share your expectations and ground rules for the relationship. You need to keep your promises and commitments. And you need to support your partner’s goals and interests.
If you have any doubts or concerns about your partner’s behavior or intentions, don’t jump to conclusions or accuse them of cheating. Instead, talk to them calmly and respectfully and try to understand their perspective. If you have evidence of infidelity or dishonesty, don’t ignore it or deny it. Instead, confront your partner with the facts and decide what to do next.
3. Plan for the future
One of the biggest challenges of a long distance marriage is the uncertainty about the future. You may not know when you will see each other again or how long you will have to live apart. You may also wonder if your relationship will survive the distance or if you will grow apart.
To cope with this uncertainty, you need to plan for the future together. You need to set realistic and specific goals for your relationship and your individual lives. You need to discuss how often you will visit each other and how you will manage the travel expenses. You need to decide when and where you will reunite permanently and how you will adjust to living together again.
Planning for the future will help you stay focused on the positive aspects of your relationship and give you something to look forward to. It will also help you overcome any obstacles or difficulties that may arise along the way.
4. Maintain your independence
While it is important to stay connected with your partner in a long distance marriage, it is also important to maintain your independence. You need to have a life of your own outside of the relationship. You need to pursue your hobbies, interests, passions, and career goals. You need to spend time with your friends, family members, colleagues, and other people who matter to you.
Maintaining your independence will help you avoid feeling lonely, bored, or depressed while living apart from your partner. It will also help you grow as a person and enrich your relationship with new experiences and insights.
However, maintaining your independence does not mean neglecting or ignoring your partner. It means finding a balance between spending time with them and spending time with yourself or others. It means respecting their independence as well as yours.
5. Seek professional help if needed
Sometimes a long distance marriage can be too overwhelming or stressful for one or both partners to handle alone. You may experience emotional issues such as anxiety, depression, anger, or resentment. You may also face practical issues such as financial problems, legal matters, or parenting challenges. In such cases, you may benefit from seeking professional help from a therapist, a counselor, a coach, or a mediator. They can provide you with guidance, support, and strategies to cope with your situation and improve your relationship.
Seeking professional help is not a sign of weakness or failure. It is a sign of strength and courage. It shows that you care about yourself and your partner and that you are willing to work on your relationship.
A long distance marriage can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience if you are willing to put in the effort, commitment, and communication that it requires. By following these tips, you can keep your long distance marriage strong and healthy and enjoy the benefits that it offers.