Let me be straight with you. This is hard.

Like really hard.

You wake up and they are not there. You have a bad day and you cannot get a hug. You have good news and you have to tell them over a screen. It sucks.

But here is the thing. People do this. People survive this. And some people actually end up closer because of it. Not in distance. In their hearts. But that only happens if you talk the right way.

Most couples fail at this because they talk too much. Or too little. Or they talk about the wrong things. Or they just assume the other person knows what they are thinking.

They do not know. They cannot read your long distance dating communication tips.

So let me give you some real advice. Not the pretty kind. The kind that actually works.

Why Do You Even Need to Talk So Much Anyway?

Why Do You Even Need to Talk So Much Anyway

When you live together, you do not need to say everything. You pass each other in the kitchen. You watch TV side by side. You fall asleep next to each other. All those small moments add up. They build your connection without you even trying.

But when you are far away? Those moments are gone. All you have is your words. And your voice. And maybe your face on a screen. So yes. You have to talk more. You have to be more careful about what you say. You have to think about how you say it. This is not natural for most people. We are used to just being together. We are not used to building a whole relationship with just talk. But that is what you have to do. So let us figure out how.

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First Thing. Stop Guessing What They Want.

I see this all the time.

One person thinks talking every day is normal. The other person thinks talking twice a week is plenty. Neither one says anything. They just get mad. She gets mad because he does not call. He gets mad because she is always calling. But neither one actually said what they wanted in the beginning. So do that. Sit down and have that boring talk. Not the romantic one. The practical one.

Ask each other:

  • How many times a day do you want to hear from me?
  • Do you like good morning texts or do they annoy you?
  • Do you prefer calls or video?
  • What time of day is worst for you to talk?
  • What time of day is best?

These questions are not sexy. But they save you from so many fights later.

Different Ways to Talk. Use All of Them.

Some people only text. Some only call. That is a mistake. Each way of talking does something different. You need all of them.

Video Calls Are the Closest Thing to Being There

You get to see their face. You get to see their hands move when they talk. You get to see their eyes.

That matters.

A lot of what we say is not in words. It is in our expressions. You miss all of that on a phone call. You miss all of that in a text.

So video call as much as you can.

But do not just sit there and stare at each other. That gets awkward. Do something together. Eat dinner together on the call. Watch a show together. Cook the same meal.

Make it feel like a real date.

Phone Calls Are Good When Video Is Not Possible

Sometimes your internet is bad. Sometimes you are in a parking lot. Sometimes you just want to hear their voice without looking at your own tired face on the screen.

  • Phone calls are good for that.
  • Hearing a voice feels personal. You can hear their mood. You can hear if they are tired or happy or stressed.
  • Voice carries emotion better than text.

Texting Is Quick but Dangerous

  • Texting is great for small things.
  • Thinking of you.
  • Hope your meeting went well.
  • Saw this and thought of you.
  • Those little messages keep you connected during the day. They say "I am here. I am thinking of you."
  • But texting is bad for serious talks.
  • You cannot hear tone in a text. You cannot see a face in a text. A joke looks like an insult. A simple question looks like an accusation.
  • If you have something important to say. Call. Or video. Do not text it.

Write a Letter Sometimes

  • This sounds old fashioned. I know.
  • But think about it. When was the last time you got a real letter in the mail? Not a bill. Not a flyer. A letter from someone who loves you.
  • It feels special.
  • Take the time to write one. Put it in an envelope. Mail it.
  • Your partner will read it over and over. They will keep it in a drawer. They will take it out on bad days and read it again.
  • You cannot do that with a text message.
  • You can even spray a little perfume on it. Or put a lipstick kiss on the paper. Something physical. Something they can touch.

You Have to Schedule This. Yes, Schedule.

  • I know that sounds unromantic.
  • Love should be spontaneous. Right?
  • But when you live far apart, spontaneous does not work. You are in different time zones. You have different schedules. You cannot just show up.
  • So pick a night.
  • Tuesday night is date night. Sunday morning is call morning.
  • Put it on your calendar. Treat it like a doctor's appointment. Do not cancel unless you absolutely have to.
  • This gives you both something to look forward to. It takes the stress out of wondering when you will talk next.

Be Present When You Talk

  • This is a big one.
  • When you call your partner, stop doing other things.
  • Do not watch TV while you talk to them. Do not scroll through Instagram. Do not cook dinner.
  • Give them your full attention.
  • You can hear the difference when someone is really listening versus when they are half listening. It hurts when you know they are not paying attention.
  • So put the phone down. Sit somewhere quiet. Look at the screen if it is a video call.
  • Make them feel like they are the only person in the world right now.

Tell Them How You Feel. All of It.

  • Some people hide their feelings. They think they are protecting their partner.
  • You are not protecting them. You are pushing them away.
  • If you are sad. Say it.
  • If you are lonely. Say it.
  • If you are scared the distance will break you. Say it.
  • Your partner cannot see your face when you are sad. They cannot read your body language. You have to use your words.
  • And yes. This is scary. Being open makes you vulnerable. But that vulnerability is what builds real closeness.
  • The good stuff too. Tell them you love them. Tell them you miss them. Tell them they look beautiful today.
  • Do not assume they know. Say it out loud.

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What to Do When You Fight?

What to Do When You Fight

You are going to fight. Every couple fights.

But fighting when you are far apart is different. You cannot hug after. You cannot kiss and make up. You have to fix things with words alone.

So here is what you do.

  • Do not guess. If you are not sure what they meant. Ask.
  • Say "What did you mean by that?" instead of getting mad.
  • Most fights start because someone misunderstood something. Clear that up first before you get angry.
  • And if you are really angry. Take a break.
  • Tell them you need a few minutes. Go walk around the block. Drink some water. Calm down.
  • Then come back and talk.
  • Angry words stick. And when you are far apart, you cannot take them back with a hug.

Do Not Make Them Your Whole World

This sounds wrong. But hear me out.

When you are in a long distance relationship, it is easy to sit by your phone all day. You wait for their message. You cancel plans with friends because you might get a call.

Do not do that.

Keep your own life. See your friends. Do your hobbies. Go to the gym. When you have your own life, you have more to talk about. You come to your calls with stories. You are more interesting. Plus it takes the pressure off your partner. They do not have to be your everything. That is too heavy for anyone.

Trust Has to Be There

You cannot check up on them. You cannot see who they are with. You have to trust them.

Trust comes from talking openly. When you share your life with them, they trust you. When you hide things, they wonder what else you are hiding. Be honest. Even about small things. And if you feel jealous. Say it. Do not accuse. Just say "I feel a little jealous right now." That opens a conversation. Accusations shut it down.

Keep the Future in Mind

  • This distance is not forever.
  • One day you will be in the same place. One day you will wake up next to each other. One day this will be a memory.
  • Talk about that day. Make plans. Dream together.
  • Where will you live? What will your place look like? What will you do on your first weekend together?
  • Having a shared future gives you something to hold onto when today is long distance dating communication tips.

Do Not Waste This Time

I know. It hurts. But this time apart is not wasted. You are learning how to talk. Really talk. You are learning how to trust. You are learning how to be patient. These are skills that will help you your whole life. Not just in this relationship. And when you finally close the distance, you will appreciate each other more. You will not take small moments for granted. You will know what it feels like to be apart.

Conclusion

This is going to be hard. Some days you will want to give up. Some days you will cry. Some days you will wonder if it is worth it. That is normal. But if you both want it. If you both work at it. You can make it. Talk to each other. Listen to each other. Be honest. Be patient. Keep your own life. Trust each other. And one day, you will look back at this time and be proud of what you survived. Now go call them. Tell them you love them. Tell them you are thinking about them.