Ask each other questions. Ask about what your partner likes and dislikes, what she wants to do in the next year or five years, where they’ve been, who her friends are—anything can spark a story and get a great conversation going. Turn this into a game by keeping track of how many questions you ask, and try to reach 1000 first. Play games to get to know each other. To play Two Truths and a Lie, tell your partner two true things and one false thing about yourself, and have her guess which is the lie. Or make a quiz about yourself and send it to them. Have them do the same, and compete to get the most answers right. Use multiple methods of communication. [2] X Expert Source Moshe Ratson, MFT, PCCProfessional Therapist Expert Interview. 7 August 2019. Talking on the phone is great for certain kinds of conversations. Email encourages more thoughtful discussions of weightier topics, while texting is great for a quick, light-hearted chat. Use more than one method of communication to get to know all sides of your partner.
Finding the right balance between personal space and regular communication is perhaps the hardest part of a long-term relationship—and the balance is different for every couple. Experiment and check in with each other regularly to see what works and what doesn’t. Work together to find a balance that lets you both be as happy and as healthy as possible.
Regular check-ins give you a way to make changes to the relationship or even end with mutual understanding and without unnecessary pain, it if and when that becomes necessary. Though it may seem tedious, pessimistic, or even silly, long-distance relationships are a lot of work and this is a good way to make sure it’s still working for both of you.
Go on virtual dates. Watch a movie together online, play a MMORPG or other online game together, or eat the same meal while on the phone together. This can simulate the shared experience that you get from dating in-person, and this will help you build your conversations. Take an online class together. This will stimulate conversation and challenge yourselves intellectually, which can add new energy to the relationship. Go back to the beginning of your relationship, where you were just getting to know each other. Ask the same kinds of questions, and focus on learning new things about your partner. There will always be things about them that you don’t know, and this can be a great way to renew your interest in the relationship.
