 It's popular belief that long-distance relationships never work out. But sometimes, absence does make the heart grow fonder, and people learn to take their partners less for granted when they're not always around. It's also worth noting that some couples far away from each other feel closer than couples who live with each other because they're more willing to communicate their problems with one another. It all boils down to one word, effort. Here's six tips on maintaining long-distance relationships. 1. Give them a personal gift to hold onto. Before the two of you depart, give each other something you can hold onto and remember one another by. A few examples you may be inspired by include exchanging nightlights, stuffed animals, jewelry, hoodies, or mugs. What you decide to give your partner doesn't have to be big or expensive. Instead, focus on how the object has served to bring meaning into your life. 2. Set routines and learn about each other's schedules. Time zones can be tricky, but learn to appreciate the differences. This can teach you the value of patience and remind you that relationships don't thrive or grow for moments of instant gratification. Once you and your partner get settled in and adjust to your new lifestyles, let each other know about your schedules and routines. Depending on how much of a difference your time zone is, you may need to take turns accommodating to each other's availability to set up Skype dates or phone calls. It may sound daunting, but once the two of you figure out a rhythm that works for the both of you, the rest will set sail. 3. Build trust and try not to jump to conclusions or assume the worst. Life can be unpredictable, so sometimes things come up, such as family emergencies, working overtime, or illness that may interrupt your usual communication patterns. Rather than worrying about whether your partner is cheating on you or if they've grown bored of the relationship and may be spending more time with their friends, know that there's no actual proof or evidence to back up those anxious thoughts. Build trust with your partner and ask each other how you're feeling rather than bottling up insecurity and making the walls bigger. Getting answers directly from your partner is better than overanalyzing and filling in those gaps yourself. 4. It's not about how often you talk to each other. Instead, focus on quality communication. Consistent communication is important when the two of you are apart from each other, especially when the physical aspect of the relationship is absent. But too much of it can also backfire and leave the two of you feeling smothered or burnt out. Rather than texting each other every hour of the day, find balance and moderation and focus on the quality of your conversations instead of how frequently the two of you talk. You may come to find that the more you talk to each other, the more you end up talking about the same things in circles rather than delving into a meaningful conversation that makes you appreciate each other's intellect, ideas, and perspectives. 5. Make time to see each other, but know that every visit may not be ideal and that's okay. When you visit each other, you may want to make the best out of your time together and plan to do exciting things, but we're all human, so allow room for flexibility instead of perfection. There may be times when you're exhausted from traveling back and forth and just want to stay in and watch a movie with your partner. Or perhaps there's a delay in your flight that may bleed into your dinner reservations. Doing fun activities and bonding with your partner is important, but sometimes it's good to just play things by ear and go with the flow. Remember, it's about the company you're with and not necessarily what the two of you do. 6. Embrace the challenges together. Long-distance relationships are difficult, but don't let the challenges tear you apart. Instead, embrace them together. Sometimes, your insecurities may get the best of you. Consequently, you may believe the two of you would be better off breaking up and meeting new people. Take a step back and think about why you held on for so long in the first place. Whether the two of you are apart because you're going to different schools or because of a job promotion, know that the long distance is only temporary and that you're working on yourselves before the two of you can be together again. It's a common misconception to think that in order for relationships to work, one person has to sacrifice their needs and desires for the other. In reality, this is how relationships often break apart when people feel stifled and can't grow together. Never lose sight of the big picture and don't give up. Have you ever been or are currently in a long-distance relationship? Do you have some tips on how to deal with one? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. If you liked this video, be sure to check out our website and other social media, as well as our Patreon account for more content. And don't forget to subscribe. Thanks for watching!