What It’s Like Being In A Long Distance Relationship

Hi pretties!
Being in a relationship where you’re separated by miles is a different world. In this world, “good night” might be a text. “I miss you” happens more than “see you soon.” I’ve been there, and here are the truths I’ve learned along the way.

About us

This is my long distance partner, Brandon. We’ve been together for a year and 7 months (minus a month break, lol). I first met him through a few people. They were playing and streaming Geoguessr. It’s a game where you have to guess where you are. A former mutual friend tried to set us up, but failed because we barely knew each other. Fast forward a few months, and we started playing in a Minecraft realm hosted by another mutual friend. That was really when the interest started picking up. He was working on a big project in the realm. I decided to help him. The rest is history, as they say. He is from the tiny state of Rhode Island, which is about almost 300 miles away from where I live.

I don’t mention Brandon very much because I value his privacy, as well as my own. I also want to keep my content creation and personal life separate. You will not really see much of him on any of my channels. I will share moments only when I choose to.

Being in a long distance relationship

Being in a long distance relationship isn’t for the faint of heart. I’ve done it once, and I am doing it again (thankfully, this one doesn’t cross an entire ocean). Being long distance is probably one of the most painful and hardest parts about this relationship, and here’s why.

The missing pieces still matter

Video calls might go smoothly. You may share laughs across screens. The reality is: you’re not together in the same room. The missing hugs, spontaneous moments, shared routines — they show up in both big and little ways. It might be the absence of brushing past each other in the kitchen. It could be the quiet comfort of being on the same couch. Recognizing that absence doesn’t mean you’re weak — it just means you’re human.

Communication becomes everything

When physical closeness isn’t an option, every word, every message, every voice‐note carries weight. I learned that calls and texts aren’t just “filler” — they’re intentional moments. We’ve had to treat our chats like mini-dates, not chores. Setting times, being honest, checking in — it became about connection, not just keeping in touch.

Time apart teaches you about yourself

There’s a flip side to being apart: you get space. Space to breathe, to explore, to be yourself. I found that while I couldn’t be physically in the same city as my partner, I could invest in my blog. I could also focus on my content creation. I also nurtured my friendships and focused on my personal growth. The realisation: my worth isn’t tied to proximity. I’m whole. I’m allowed to grow — and so is the relationship.

The magic of reunions & the mundane in-between

When you finally are together, it feels extra. That hug at the airport (or at their house if you drove). The first coffee on the same table. The quiet morning when you wake up in the same time zone. But the in-between matters just as much. The small gestures say so much. A “just saw this and thought of you” text makes a difference. Sharing furniture across time zones also helps. The countdowns, the flights, and the “see you soon” messages all contribute. They build the story of the relationship as much as the reunion itself.

Knowing when the “distance” isn’t just physical

Distance isn’t only about geography. It can be emotional distance, differing levels of effort, or no shared vision of “what next”. One turning point for us was saying: “Where are we going?” If the only answer is “I don’t know”, then it doesn’t feel like growth. Instead, the distance can feel more like drift. Having a shared vision is important. It could be something small like “we’ll mark a date for a visit.” This shared vision helps anchor the relationship.

My Simple Checklist for Making It Feel Good

• Choose a visit date (even if tentative) so you both have something to aim toward.
• Create mini rituals: a designated call time, watching the same movie, sending morning photos.
• Own your solo life: your blog, your friends, your hobbies. You’re a whole person, not just half.
• Celebrate the small wins: that deep conversation, that package sent, that moment you felt close despite the miles.
• Be honest about the hard parts: jealousy, loneliness, time zones. Naming them doesn’t weaken you — it makes you real.

Final Thoughts

Being in a long-distance relationship is hard. It’s not the default easy path. But if both sides lean in with communication, purpose, and self-respect, it can be more than just surviving. It can become so much more. It can become a chapter of growth, resilience, and deep trust. If you’re in that “waiting for the hug” stage: your love is valid. Your journey is valid. Your story is worthy.

Your Turn

Have you been in a long-distance relationship (or still are)? What’s one thing you wish someone had told you at the start? Drop a comment below. You can also tag me on Instagram @winniexyong. I’d love to hear your story and hold space for it.

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