Building a long-distance love journey requires extra effort. Distance is not a barrier to building a healthy long-lasting relationship, however, the important thing to know is that a long-distance partner can build a fulfilling relationship with you if you both put in the work.
Avoid living like a depressed person with trust issues and instead focus on building. It is a good idea to stop focusing on the physical distance and the complications it brings but rather be solution-oriented.
There are different ways to handle this situation. Pick the tips that you are comfortable with and start by practicing those. You will realize that the feelings of emptiness start to alleviate it and building a long-distance love journey is not depressing anymore.
Is it normal to feel empty in a long-distance relationship?
Yes, it is both normal and valid to feel lonely and empty when your partner is on the other side of the city, country, or even the other side of the world. Especially if it’s been a long time since you saw your partner.
You feel empty because you miss your best friend who is also your romantic partner. Being away from someone with whom you have a romantic relationship can take a toll on you and bring about feelings of depression and negative thoughts.
Although this is normal there are things you can do to avoid being a depressed person in your long-distance love journey. You may not be able to do anything about missing the physical intimacy, but a long-term relationship is way more than just building an intimate connection.
If you are really having a hard time and struggling this piece will give you a starting point.
The best way to deal with an issue is by facing it head on and we have practical ways to help you win and make the long-distance relationship work.
You will triumph in your long-distance love journey.
How do you stay emotionally connected in a long-distance relationship?
By talking to each other constantly and effectively. Build your emotional connection through being vulnerable and open with each other. No detail is too small to share or talk about.
Even if it’s talking about a fly that won’t leave the room or your neighbor who decides to mow the lawn at 9 pm. Talk about it.
You stand a good chance of surviving the depression symptoms if you are dedicated to each other. Always keep in mind that any long-distance love journey requires extra effort.
What are the symptoms of long-distance relationship depression?
- Feeling unmotivated to take care of yourself.
- Being unproductive
- Lack of focus thinking about a partner in a different part of the world.
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Crying all the time
- Being stressed and not eating well
How to cope with the Miles: Turning Tears into Triumphs in My Long-Distance Love Journey
Here are effective tips to overcome depression in a long-distance relationship.
1. Constant and effective communication
You have heard this many times but this time it is crucial that you and your partner communicate effectively, constantly, and consistently. It has to be more than just calling your partner to check on them. It is being intentional about sharing information.
Remember that it is showing love and care throughout the day knowing that the person you are talking to is not within reach.
Initiate video calls and send each other thoughtful messages. Video calls allow you to see each other. You can see if your partner is really okay or if something is bothering them.
Become an expert at reading your partners’ facial cues and body language. It will help the two of you bond and become better lovers.
If the bandwidth does not allow you to video call or zoom then opt for phone calls. Although this may be expensive if these are international calls, remember that there is no price on love.
Another important thing to talk about is any concerns and fears you currently have.
Talk about the doubts or emotional triggers that you have been feeling recently or over the past year. Communication is the only way to address anything.
Do not hide anything or sweep it under the carpet because bottling things us has never helped anyone.
2. Plan future visits and look forward to them.
A lot of time waiting causes part of the depression. So instead of sitting and waiting decide to be proactive towards planning from the next time that you meet your partner physically.
Plan fun activities and things to do when you finally see each other.
Hear me out, you do not have to plan something fancy or expensive, if you guys enjoy spending the day indoors plan things to do indoors. Movies and chilling are great ideas but be more creative in your ideas.
Indoors can be just as fun as outdoors.
Planning all this will alleviate some of the long-distance relationship depression. It allows you to refocus and get your mind off things.
Remember that your lover is also your best friend so plan to have fun.
3. Organize virtual dates.
Despite being far away from each other a lot of time try organizing virtual dates. This may be weird when you do it for the first time but give it a try.
Dress up as if it’s a physical date and set up an environment without distractions.
Prepare a meal and drinks and get ready to have fun.
There are many online games to play and many platforms that can enhance your virtual date, make use of them. Be resourceful and be creative.
Dare to think beyond the ordinary and let everything happen organically.
Be kinky, spontaneous, and fun. This is your partner so do not be shy.
Virtual dates allow you to spend quality time together and this will have a positive impact on your relationship. Allow yourself extra time to prepare for the date and be expectant and nervous as if you go on your first date.
Use virtual dates as a special time between the two of you to bond and connect.
4. Send care packages.
The world has advanced a lot and things are easier so as long-distance couples we must use that information to our advantage.
Although phone calls are efficient, sending a gift adds a personal touch. Arrange for a surprise delivery of something that your partner loves. Do this for each other to remind each other that you miss each other and are thinking of each other.
Gift-giving also allows you to connect at a deeper level than just the physical.
Find something with your personal touch.
At the end of the day, you know your partner best and you know how to make them feel special. Agree to do this for each other, it will help you build a real thing between the two of you not just a physical connection.
If your partner is sick they will appreciate a care package as it shows that you still care although you are miles away.
Even if your partner is working or studying far away, a care package reminds them that someone cares. Imagine you are coming back from work, and you had a bad day, receiving a care package will put a huge smile on your face.
5. Seek professional help.
Although this may be a difficult thing to do it is the best thing to do. Do not be shy about it, there is nothing wrong with you.
Choosing to see a relationship expert allows you to speak to someone who will offer you professional advice and listen to you.
A therapist is trained to listen without being judgmental and to offer objective advice and views.
So, the next time you feel overwhelmed book an appointment, and if the feelings are consistent try to see a professional more often to keep yourself in check.
Seeking professional help also allows you to manage clinical depression if you are struggling with it for extended periods.
6. Be open, transparent, and truthful.
The devil is in the details and one of the effective ways to avoid depression is to be transparent.
Share details of every single part of your day.
Just because there is no physical touch does not mean that there is no emotional and mental touch. Never allow a couple of days to go by without expressing yourself.
If it’s time to cook, video chat as you cook or as you clean. This creates an open and safe environment, and it builds trust. Do this on a regular basis and make it part of your normal life.
It has been proven that effective communication and openness help with building loving relationships.
Choose to trust your partner, it’s the right thing to do and it’s the first step to building a lasting partnership.
7. Do shared activities.
Although the two of you are apart, you do not have to live separate lives. You can have a special time together from opposite sides of the world.
Pick a movie or series and watch it together or choose a book and read it together and then talk about it. This is a healthy way to bond over the distance.
The good news is that if you really do not like a movie or series you can let your partner know and both of you can choose something else.
You still have the freedom to watch anything you want.
The idea is to share daily life activities when you are doing this long-distance love journey.
8. Take care of yourself
Engage in self-care a lot.
It is important that you keep check of your mental health condition especially if you have a history of mental illness.
Taking extremely good care of yourself is one of the effective ways to avoid depression. Do things that make you happy and bring you joy.
Go shopping, hiking, painting, and many other things that make you happy.
Remember that you are still your own person before you are someone’s partner. You have a character, personality, and dreams as your own person. Keep that in mind and embrace that.
Let your partner know when you are going on these activities and encourage them to do it too. Take care of yourself and your health.
Leave no room for depression.
It is your full-time job to take care of yourself and become self-aware so, do not forget that.
9. Think of the future bigger picture.
One thing that may be depressing to you is that you do not know whether there is a future or not and if it is even worth putting in all the effort to build the relationship.
When you know where the relationship is going you are more likely to be invested and to be able to tolerate the long distance.
Map out your goals, dreams, and future plans together and agree on how to achieve them. You are both in this together so dreaming and planning together build a connection and allow you to decide on the type of relationship you both want.
Use modern technology to have a vision board for the two of you.
This is the best way to win with this long-distance love journey.
Bonus Tip – Celebrate all important events and special events.
You are all in each other’s lives so it’s important to know and plan to celebrate special dates. Celebrate monthly anniversaries and each other’s birthdays. Put in all the effort to make each other feel special.
All important events deserve attention.
If you are going through a long distance share your experience of how it has been for you. Let’s encourage and support each other.
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