Whether you are a two-hour car ride or an entire continent apart, long-distance relationships can be tough, especially around the holidays.
Valentine’s Day, for most, is a day of celebration. It’s a day of gratitude and showing up for your loved ones extra so they know how much they mean to you. But for those in long-distance relationships, the holiday can be a harsh reminder of all the things you might be missing out on because you are apart. Long-distance doesn’t have to mean you can’t celebrate, though. Here are five tips to surviving a long-distance Valentine’s Day from a seasoned long-distance veteran.
Do something for yourself
Valentine’s Day is supposed to reflect how much you love someone, so why not treat yourself to something special. Buy yourself flowers, order your favorite dinner, watch that new show you’ve been dying to watch but haven’tfound the right time for and enjoy your night.
There are a lot of misconceptions about the holiday, like if your partner isn’t around or you don’t have one, you just shouldn’t celebrate, but I think life is too short to waste your time waiting around for a traditional Valentine’s Day. You’re the only constant in your life and I think it’s important to celebrate that.
It’s okay to be upset, but don’t wallow
It’s human nature to be upset or even jealous during Valentine’s Day, especially when those around you can be with their partners and go to fancy dinners. It’s important to remember that it’s okay to feel that way, but don’t let it consume you.
I honestly think it’s beneficial to allow yourself time to grieve what could have been. But bottling up how you feel only makes things worse. Let it out and then get up and do something that makes you feel good. You don’t want to be miserable, and I promise your partner doesn’t want you to be either.
Spend time with family and friends
There is so much more to life than waiting. Finding friends who also don’t have plans and having a special night with them can be a great distraction. Celebrate “Galentine’s Day,” watch a sports game, go to a gym class or just spend quality time with them. It gives you something else to focus on and allows you to nurture other relationships rather than your romantic one, which are equally important.
Going out to dinner with your family is another great way to celebrate. It’s a holiday full of love and company; it doesn’t matter who you spend it with.
Send gifts and cards via mail
Just because you can’t see your partner doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate them. Sending a gift or card in the mail is a great way to show your partner that the distance doesn’t mean they aren’t loved. It doesn’t have to be anything big or grand either. A meaningful gesture can go a long way, even something small like sending your partner money to buy flowers and chocolate can mean a lot.
Utilize Technology
We are so lucky to have technology that allows us to talk to anyone, anytime, anywhere, so utilize it! Set up a cute dinner date over FaceTime, play a card game through the phone or just spend some quality time chatting with your partner. If you do send each other gifts, open them together on the phone and make it a special night anyway. Just because there is a distance between you doesn’t mean you can’t make it a special holiday.
Distance doesn’t have to mean doomed. It’s only when you let the distance get in the way that you open a relationship up to failure, so don’t let it stop you this Valentine’s Day or any day!