What to Do When Your S.O. Is on the Verge of Moving Away
When it comes to potential stumbling blocks in your romantic relationship, your S.O. moving away is definitely near the top of the list.
Whether it's a result of their family deciding to relocate, a move to college or any other life change that will take your significant other away from you, adding distance into your relationship will undoubtedly result in a few changes.
(Gossip Girl via The CW)
Thankfully, there are so many ways to keep in touch with your S.O. that long distance doesn't have to be a death sentence for your romance. If your S.O. is on the verge of moving away, scroll below for a few tips on how to handle this new phase of your relationship.
Take Time to Be Sad
Learning that your significant other is moving away can definitely be a very emotional moment, so it's okay to take a little time to wallow. Don't try to immediately hide your feelings or put on a brave face. If you ignore your emotions, it will make it very hard for you to decide what you want to do about the future of your relationship. Take time to check in with yourself, cry a little bit and then pull yourself together so you can make a plan.
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Talk It Out
When your S.O. is moving away, the most important thing you can do is sit down and talk through what this change means for your relationship. It sounds simple, but it can be a very difficult conversation to have. It requires being open and vulnerable about how you feel, and taking a very realistic approach to whether or not you see this relationship lasting. If either of you feel any doubts, you definitely want to discuss whether long distance is right for you. These relationships aren't easy, so it's important to ensure you're both committed and willing to put in the needed effort.
Make a Plan
If you do decide to stay together, the next step is making some sort of plan. Long distance is very much about rolling with the punches, but it can also be helpful to have a general idea of how you and your S.O. are going to make it work. For example, if they are within driving distance, you can agree to see each other once a month and switch off making the drive. If they are really far away, you can agree to talk on the phone once a day. It's not about creating a strict list of rules for your relationship, but rather about ensuring you'll still remain emotionally close to each other, even if you can't physically be in the same place.
Throw Yourself Into Your Friendships
The best way to combat the sadness you feel about your S.O. moving away is to band together with all your besties. Not only will they be your support system while your S.O. is gone, but they will also distract you from the sad thoughts that accompany such a huge change. The nice thing about a long distance relationship is that you have plenty of time to devote to your friends, so take advantage of it.
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Plan a Trip
Your S.O. moving away is definitely not fun, but it does give you an excuse to travel! Immediately planning a trip to see your love has many benefits. Seeing the new place they are living will help you feel more connected to their life, and it gives you something to anticipate while you miss them. Even if your trip has to be a few months in the future, it's concrete evidence that you are both ready and willing to make your relationship work.
Be Secure
Long distance relationships are not a place for insecurities. Worrying about what your S.O. is doing every second of the day, who they are talking to or why they haven't texted you back will only result in a lot of unneeded anxiety for you. Instead, you have to be ready to put your full trust in your love and believe that they are just as committed to this relationship as you are. If you can do that, your S.O. moving away might not be so bad.
Worried about starting a long distance relationship? Click HERE to see why I still support long distance relationships, even though mine didn't work.