Long-distance relationships take patience, communication, endurance, commitment, and above all, trust.
Trust is absolutely VITAL in a long distance relationship. It doesn’t matter how far your partner is from you; they might be in a different time zone or just a couple of hours away from you. What matters is how much you trust them. If you do not have trust, then you may as well not have a long-distance relationship.
Long-distance relationships are not easy, so here are some tips on building the trust that make them a little easier:
1) Avoid Secrets:
Don’t hide anything from your partner. Keeping secrets will only make you doubt each other. Honest and open communication is important in a long-distance relationship. Don’t hide important information, since this could really damage the trust that your partner has for you. There is nothing worse than a lie in any relationship, especially one that has a distance factor.
2) Communicate Openly and Often:
It’s hard to make a relationship a successful one if there’s no healthy communication. A long-distance relationship will never work if you don’t talk to your partner often. Regular communication is important to sustain a long-distance relationship. Keep in mind: communication is the key to ANY happy and fulfilling relationship, and trust starts with communicating openly. Talk about whether you feel happy in the relationship and how to make it better. Long-distance relationships are a lot of work and regular check-ins will help to increase the mutual understanding and trust.
3) Plan Your Next Visit:
One of the hardest aspects of a long-distance relationship is the fact that you can’t see each other often. Making the effort to see each other regularly will give you both something to look forward to.
4) Give Them Some Space:
Always recognize that he/she needs time and space to live their own life. Don’t force them to spend more time with you than what they can afford. It’s not that easy, especially when all you can think about is your partner. Trust is a two-way street so if you want them to trust you, you have to trust them with some time alone. Do not be over-possessive and never make them feel so by demanding them to spend more time with you.
5) Keep Your Promises:
It’s very important to keep your word in a long-distance relationship. If you promise them something, make sure you get it done. If not, then don’t make promises. Encourage your partner to trust you by always proving yourself worthy of their trust. The surest and quickest way to lose someone’s trust is by breaking promises.
6) Trust Yourself:
It is especially difficult in a long-distance relationship to remember that you are your own person. The first thing you have to do is trust yourself. How can they trust you when you always worry about your choices, you’re weak, and you have a low self-esteem? If you don’t trust your decisions and your choices, they won’t trust you either.