Dating Relationships - Tips for Long-Distance Dating

Long-distance dating relationships can be incredibly difficult to maintain. Both men and women can get depressed and frustrated from the long distance and lack of communication. Most long-distance dating relationships end within the first six months. However, there is hope. With millions of couples living lives in different cities, dating someone far away is clearly possible, even if it's difficult.

Talk to the Person You're Dating

Dating relationships with someone who lives somewhere else is difficult. The most important thing you can do is discuss your expectations and set dating relationship boundaries. What can you and can't you do?  Can you go on dates with other people, for instance?

However, talking doesn't stop at setting boundaries when you're dating long-distance. You need to talk. The more you can talk, the better. Getting a VOIP account will make talking free, so you don't need to worry about long-distance phone charges.

Though with military dating relationships talking can be difficult, you still need to set aside time or it, even if it's only once a week. Dating is typically a social thing, so when you're dating someone who's far away, hearing his or her voice will make it easier, but that doesn't mean it will be easy.

The more you share and communicate, the faster the time will go and the less it will feel like you're apart from the person you're dating.  You'll be a part of one another's lives, even if your long-distance. And that's what makes dating relationships work.

Write Letters (And Emails)

Lots of men find it difficult to understand why women find receiving actual letters exciting. "I'll just email you," Tom tells Jill. For Jill, that's just not enough. You can't stuff an email under your pillow and hear it crinkle as you fall asleep. You can't smell him on it and imagine him writing it.

Letters are more personal. They say that you sat down, thought about the person and sent off a letter. If you can, write out a rough draft before you send a final copy. That will make it nice and neat, and the person you're dating doesn't need to know about the first copy.

Even if you talk to the person you're dating every day, receiving a letter, with a stamp and everything, is special. Even if you've already discussed the things in the letter.

Spend Time With Other People

If the person you're dating is far away, it's easy to fall into depression. If you mope around and don't get out, it won't get any better. The depression will grow worse and you so will your relationship. By spending time with people – of the same sex as you – you'll get the social interaction you need and are missing in your dating relationship. You'll also realize you have friends and don't need to stay at home.

When you spend time with other people, you're dating relationship will be better, too. You'll be in a better mood and that will speak volumes in the way you interact with the other person and the way you see your relationship. It can also help lift you out of the depression.

Send Gifts

Everyone likes presents. And when you send gifts to the person you're dating, they don't need to be expensive. They can be something simple: a picture of the two of you together, from when you first started dating, for instance. Or it can be a picture of just you, hanging out with friends. Consider sending cookies or something you make yourself.

If the person you're dating used to live in the same city as you, a reminder of home might be nice, too. Consider sending a recording of a few hours of his favorite radio station. Or send pictures from an even she used to participate back in.

Travel

Take the plunge and visit your significant other. Try to set up times and trips so you and the person you're dating can see one another and spend time together.