Tips for long-distance relationships: Making use of video calls!

The purpose of this post is to provide those who are in a long-distance relationship (LDR) some insights on how to ROCK their relationships. This came about after the realization that lately, quite a number of friends have started engaging in this and most of them have trouble coping with LDR. And too many people have asked me how I cope.

Why should you read this? Because it's coming from a person's who's been in an LDR for almost seven years ;) How come? We were in the same school, but he transferred to a boarding school, we then went to different colleges and now we're seven hours away by flight.

First and foremost, an LDR needs the basic things a relationship needs: trust, loyalty, honesty, etc. I believe that people can actually grow closer with an LDR and this post is here to spice an LDR up.

LDR can work and if there's a will, there are always ways to achieve this. Stressed that you can't meet and can't talk all the time? All you basically need is a computer (preferably a notebook) and a good internet provider. After that, download BOTH of these programs.

Skype and Ym rock. They give you free PC-to-PC video calls.

If you're not used to video calls, get used to it. My suggestion is, to keep your PC and these programs on at all times (even overnight) when you're home- so that both of you can reach each other anytime. Even when you're asleep :) Here's basically a list of what you can do with video calls.

Watch a movie together Stream a movie from a site together (it's illegal but...), or if you're connection is that slow for streaming, use torrent and download a movie together. Once it's done, turn your phones off and watch it during a video call session. Keep your bedrooms dark if you wish. Why? Now you're watching a movie together, LDR-style!

This applies to Football matches, too. View matches via Sopcast. For movie streaming sites, go Google and do you own homework, okay :)

 So you'd get an idea how movie watching looks like on Yahoo Messenger.

 

Go on a dinner date Set the date and time for special occasions. Both of you must cook (or buy) good food, set the table, get all dressed and ladies, put on makeup.  Make the video call and lit candles. Voila! You're on a date. Albeit a cyber date.

If you tell this to your non-LDR friends, they might think you've lost your mind- but once you get used to it, it won't be that much of a deal. It's fun. Try it! If you don't want dinner dates, eating together and chilling is okay, too. And please, ignore other buzzes and instant messages. Especially from the opposite sex!

The thing I forgot to mention: I once went on a Skype lunch date with Reza at Gloria Jean's, using their wireless service. Having spaghetti and iced latte, while talking to the laptop HAHAHAHAHA. But I'm not sure if anyone noticed...

Shop together LDR couples can shop together, too. It's less time consuming and tiring, since it doesn't require going round malls and trying every single thing before buying. There are thousands of online shops you can choose from! It's not that hard to show the other person what you want to buy- just copy and paste the URL or just add the pictures of the items via Yahoo Messenger's Photo Sharing feature. Discuss and ask for their opinions via a video call.

Of course, showing off the new jacket you bought online, the one he or she chose, in front of the webcam is cool, too.

Surprise you other half When they are away or asleep. How? The DOODLE Imvironment on Yahoo Messenger! If you're not sleeping on video call and wakes up earlier than he or she is, set your Imvironment to Doodle and leave a colorful message to brighten up his or her day.

 

I think Reza left this for me. I didn't keep the fancier ones I've made for him. Seeing this first thing in the morning makes me happy, I don't know about you.

Of course, to show appreciation, you can send roses, too :)

More suggestions...

Pillow talks and sleep together I'd like to thank Anonymous (who sent me a comment) for this. I do this often, yet forgot mentioning it (thanks for reminding me). If you see me online 24/7 on Yahoo Messenger, it's because I leave my laptop on every night when I'm at home (even outstation sometimes.. wait, maybe all the time!). We sleep with our Skype or Yahoo Messenger video call on. He usually wakes me up in the morning. Even when you're time difference is five hours, I still think this is doable.

Study together Not studying in the same university? Don't fret. Do assignments and study in front of the laptop. Leave the call on as you do work. Make coffee at the same time and do your own business. Some people might find this rather disturbing, but if you're fine with your significant other watching or studying with you, then do it. It brings you closer and it gives you the drive to succeed (at least for me).


I need to go off now. In the next few days I'll post another Tips for LDR: What to do when you're away and offline. Stay tuned!