Long-distance relationships are hard but they're not impossible! Try using the "5 D's" to stick it out for the long haul.
Talking Points:
- Here are “5 D’s” to saving your long-distance relationship.
- #1: Define your relationship’s parameters. 70% of long-distance relationships (LDRs) fail if changes aren’t planned for. How long will the LDR be long-distance? How often will you visit each other? What are the best ways to communicate?
- #2: Do things together but apart. Play online games together, cook the same meal and eat it over Skype, read the same book and talk about it – whatever you have to do to stay invested in one another and still enjoy activities together.
- #3: Dedicate time to talk. Set a time to talk every day. It doesn’t have to be big stuff, but you need to touch base daily.
- #4: Ditch the jealousy. You have to give your significant other the benefit of the doubt and trust that they’re not cheating on you or talking to someone else just because you aren’t seeing them daily.
- #5: Visit when you can. Go visit! Get on a bus, train, or plane. Take advantage of opportunities to see each other.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Are you in a long-distance relationship or have you been in one? What happened?
- Why does defining parameters help a relationship? What is likely to happen if you don’t?
- How do shared activities help to nurture a bond? How can you do things together despite being apart? Give an example.
- Why is it important to determine the best times to talk in advance?
- What steps must you take to ditch the jealousy? Do you feel justified in being jealous? Explain.
- Have you figured out when you plan to visit one another? What seems reasonable for your circumstances? Explain.
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
