26 Long-Distance Relationship Date Ideas & Activities You Can Do From Afar
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Loading... - Anat Badawi
- 08 Aug 2022
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Whether you're new to the game or have been in one for the last five years, you've probably noticed that some things about being in a long-distance relationship can be particularly challenging (even if some things are kind of nice—hello, stretching out like a starfish in bed!). Here we've gathered some expert tips on how to keep your LDR happy and healthy in the face of difficulties, as well as a long list of activity and date ideas you and your boo can do even when separated.
Making a long-distance relationship work.
Being apart from your partner for long periods of time can be a major stressor on a relationship, explains sex and love coach Suzannah Weiss, but there are ways to make sure a long-distance relationship works.
A common point of tension can be the craving for in-person physical intimacy, which just isn't possible with your partner. Weiss warns that it is "vital for people in long-distance relationships to talk about whether they would like a monogamous or non-monogamous relationship—and how they are defining monogamy or non-monogamy. Is it OK to flirt with other people? Dance with other people? Cuddle with other people? It is better to be honest about the fact that these desires will come up than to push them under the rug and risk going behind each other's backs and hurting each other?"
Weiss also suggests avoiding an overreliance on texting and emails. "Misunderstandings happen, and disagreements can spiral if people aren't able to experience the thorough communication that comes from hearing each other's voices. If you begin to get upset with your partner over something, get on the phone—or, even better, video—as soon as you can to talk it out," she says.
Communication, in general, is the altar on which a long-distance relationship lives or dies, notes couples' and sex therapist Kyle Zrenchik, Ph.D., ACS, LMFT. "You can only have so many conversations about work and the weather before a relationship becomes dull. Since you are not physically together, each partner is really relying on vivid and thorough conversation to feel like you both are still in each other's lives. Make sure you both do that well," he advises.
Activities to keep you close:
1. Couples apps
"You can download apps like Paired that are geared toward helping couples get to know each other and communicate from a distance with things like question prompts and games," says Weiss.
2. Book club
Have a mini book club! Take turns selecting a book, and then video call each other to talk about the themes it brings up.
3. Write and send erotica
If you feel like you can do better than 50 Shades of Grey (and let's be honest, you almost definitely can), then get your pens out and try writing little erotic stories for each other. You can either send them via snail mail or just share a Google doc and collaborate on it together.
4. Flower power
Surprise your other half with a bouquet delivered to their home, just because it's a Tuesday. Why wait for Valentine's Day to show a little bit of appreciation?
5. Keep a journal together
A shared Google doc is really the long-distance gift that keeps on giving. Set one up and use it to create a shared journal where you write about your days for each other.
6. Learn a language together
Always wanted to brush up on your Spanish? You can both download Duolingo (the language-learning app) and add each other as friends. That way, you can keep track of each other's progress and create some friendly competition between you. Plus, in time you can start sending each other bilingual sexts. Hot.
7. Love letters
Need I say more? Receiving a thoughtful love letter in the post is one of the best things ever. You can spray yours with perfume and include little gifts or pretty postcards that remind you of your boo.
8. Send a gift card
Is your partner always talking about that bakery they love? Or that clothes shop? Organize a way to send them a gift card for a local business, and then ask them to send you a selfie of them and their artisanal doughnut, new dress, etc.
9. Shoot a movie
Pull the blinds down, lock the door, and get to work. Make your partner a mini solo porn movie that they can enjoy whenever you're apart. Make sure to send it to them via an encrypted app, so it's for their eyes only.
10. Discuss the future
It's really important for the sustainability of your relationship that you check in with each other about where you see the partnership going. Do you have a plan to move closer to each other? Do you envisage being in an LDR for the next month? Year? Decade? What are your thoughts about marriage, children, and homeownership? Pets? Make sure you're on the same page about your intentions for the future. Read More...
