With the rise of social media, long distance relationships (LDRs) are on the rise. However, like any other relationship a LDR has its unique set of challenges. Humans like any other social being need physical contact in a relationship. The amount of it differs from person to person. People who want physical contact and constant attention would have more problems in a LDR. Communication problems often occur due to loss of emotional communication that can’t be effectively written in a text or email. In LDR it’s also harder to work on relationships problems because you can’t communicate in person on a personal basis.  Emotional people may find it harder to communicate to their partner when they have a bad day. It’s hard to say over the phone or through a message because in day to day interaction they usually convey this through other physical ways such as: tone in their voice, behavioural changes or small changes in clothing they might wear or facial expression.

Here are the top problems that you might encounter in an LDR

If you or your partner are an Emotional Type

This means that you base most of decisions on how you feel. For example if they chose their purchase of car, furniture, clothing, accessories based on how it looks or makes them feel as oppose their practical features or maintenance ease. You will encounter communication problems where you need to consider how the other person is feeling to help you resolve issues.

If you or your partner are an Extrovert Type

For a successful relationship you need to communicate more often. Not only through texts and messages but also through photos and videos. For introverts, communication through videos and photos is not as vital. Research has also found couples who communicate twice as often will stay together longer.

Communication is Random or Disrupted or Too Often

Relationships need both predictability and some randomness when it comes to communication. You should set a specific time you communicate with each other regularly each day at the same time. You both have busy and leisure times during the day and can’t fully focus on texts. If you text too often it can be overwhelming and end up being irritating when you can’t get personal mind space. You need some time for personal head space. If you over text you will also run out of new things to talk about or share.

You also need spontaneity. Just because you will talk with your partner every day at for example at 8 PM , you should also send each other messages sometimes at random times during the day. This shows thoughtfulness and might pick up the others person’s mood. Also understand that if one of you is too busy it might take time for a reply.

Mix up Conversation Styles and Topics

The last item to consider is the type of conversations you have. Do you often have conversation that would be considered as “what if” and philosophical that tend to be future focused, deep, abstract or theoretical? Or are they based more on the present, practical, factual, realistic  matters? If you have the same type of conversations, then this shouldn’t pose too many problems . However, if you have the mix of both then you need to be able to divide time you spend of each type. This way you can avoid conversations that are one-sided or too boring. Keep in mind if you or your partner are intellectually minded or go for more entertaining conversations about current events.

Let us know what you think and what have been some challenges you have experienced and how did you overcome them.

Those who are more introverted would encounter less problems in LDR.