Long Distance Is Hard, but Visiting Can Ease the Struggle

Long distance is hard, but this picture of plane tickets depicts one helpful solution: regular visits

Long distance is hard, but it doesn’t have to be a threat to your relationship. You can always work things out.

How long can you truly endure the emptiness of a long-distance relationship (LDR) before it slowly breaks you down?

We all know that long distance is hard. Its reputation as something only the truly committed (or the naive) should even try precedes it.

Yet you find yourself growing increasingly curious about seeing just where your search for love can take you. Better yet, you may have met someone already, and you’re now falling for a beautiful foreign woman who lives in another country.

If you’re a love seeker who’s intimidated by the distance that divides you and your potential sweetheart, this article will help you navigate your situation.

Are You in an LDR?

What is considered a long-distance relationship is typically one where the couple is geographically apart and has limited physical contact.

In certain instances, a couple can also be considered in an LDR when they’re unable to see each other at any time. It could be because of a difference in work schedules, overwhelming travel expenses, and other logistical hurdles.

You’ve probably heard tons of LDR advice and tips out there, though most of them focus on keeping up good communication online.

Some of these tips may have worked for some, but not for others. The circumstances that come along with an LDR are unique to every couple.

If you’re wondering what LDR ideas could actually work for you, you must first understand the challenges your relationship is facing and what you can do to strengthen your connection.

Long Distance Is Hard, but Why?

Distance has the tendency to heighten one’s insecurity. If cheating and dishonesty happen among some couples who date in person, how much more to those who live miles or even countries apart?

This insecurity can lead to you constantly fighting, crossing each other’s boundaries, and overall just feeling anxious and unable to fully trust each other.

Physical closeness is also missing. Those who know this absence know the loneliness it can bring.

Even communication can become challenging, especially when it comes to different time zones or incompatible schedules.

Being in an LDR, but Not into Travel

Making a long-distance relationship work comes down to visiting each other.

Traveling is a part of every long-distance relationship. But it’s not as easy as it seems.

Although a lot of people like to travel and some see it as a great accomplishment, the reality is that it’s just not for everyone. It’s understandable. Aside from preference, some also have pragmatic reasons:

  • Financial reasons

    • Traveling can be expensive. Even with a budget, unforeseen costly circumstances do happen.

  • Work responsibilities

    • Time off from work isn’t always easy to come by. Just like everything else in life, work duties need to be considered.

  • Stress and anxiety

    • Traveling requires a lot of preparation and it can fill your mind with worries and fears.

  • Health reasons

    • You may not be as physically able as some to travel, which is a legitimate reason to consider.

This is when you have to think about just what this relationship or even the potential of a relationship means to you. Realistically, you won’t be traveling often, but if you’re in a long-distance relationship, one of you will have to travel at some point.

This is actually another thing that sets LDRs apart. LDR couples aren’t just committed – they have to renew that commitment many different times throughout their relationship.

Distance tests hearts, individually and together.

How to Travel If It’s Not Your Thing

Long distance is hard, but the love and commitment you have still remains. You dislike traveling, but you long for your partner’s touch and sweet embrace.

Traveling doesn’t have to be something you dread. You just have to find what works for you and your partner.

How can you make traveling more manageable?

  • Shared planning and excitement.

    You and your partner should plan your travels together. Mutual future planning helps reaffirm commitment. Building anticipation together for your reunion can transform the journey from a chore into a shared adventure.

  • Optimize for comfort (within reason).

    Prioritize travel methods and times that minimize stress for both of you.

  • Strategic time-off planning.

    Coordinate so that your visiting times align with both your work schedules. Even short, well-timed trips can make a significant difference in maintaining intimacy.

  • Budget-friendly getaways and saving strategies.

    Explore affordable travel options like off-season visits, budget airlines, or shared accommodations. Discuss starting a dedicated travel fund together to save consistently for visits.

  • Focus on the reunion, not the ride.

    Shift your mindset from the discomforts of travel to the joy of finally being with your partner. Visualize your embrace and the intimacy you crave. Travel may be inconvenient, but you can consider it a small sacrifice with great rewards.

How Traveling Benefits Your LDR

Couple hugging each other in a train station, showing that visiting is still the best among other LDR ideas.

Of all those LDR ideas you’ve heard, seeing your partner and being able to hug them is still the best.

Long-distance love phrases, gifts, and virtual dates work just fine. But nothing beats the warmth of physical touch from the person you love.

Regular visits offer a much-needed chance to bridge the physical gap between you and your partner, allowing you to reconnect.

If you can’t visit your partner regularly, then do it occasionally. Do whatever works for you, just as long as you can meet each other in person. That is an added affirmation that you cherish your partner.

Most importantly, you get to enjoy a regular dose of physical intimacy, which is very important in any romantic relationship. It helps to keep that spark alive and well.

It Brings Physical Intimacy

No, physical intimacy is not just about sexual contact, although it can be an important part of it.

The editorial team of BetterHelp debunks the common misconception that “physical intimacy” is a euphemism for sexual intercourse.

Physical intimacy is explained in their article titled “What Is Physical Intimacy, and What Impact Can It Have?” as the consensual physical contact or proximity that expresses positive feelings toward another person.

It’s when you feel safe cuddling with your partner, holding their hands, dancing together, or embracing them tightly. Sometimes, it goes beyond physical touch. Physical intimacy can also manifest in sustained eye contact.

So, how exactly does physical intimacy help you as an LDR couple?

  • You’re more able to reconnect.

    The stress of other responsibilities creates emotional distance. When you’re physically close to your partner, you can feel that something pulls you back together to a shared space. You feel present and connected.

  • You can communicate more effectively.

    A common communication barrier in LDR is the lack of non-verbal cues. This is often a problem in texting. Although video calls can help, you’re still confined to the camera’s frame.

    When you’re physically together, you can emphasize your message through physical touch, such as patting on the arm (empathy) or kissing on the forehead (affection).

  • You feel safer and more secure.

    Being in each other’s presence physically provides tangible affirmation of your commitment and bond. You feel truly “seen” and accepted by your partner.

LDR Isn’t Bad at All

Long distance is hard but it isn’t inherently bad; it simply requires a different approach. The key is discovering what truly works for you and your partner.

Successful LDRs thrive on compromise and communication. When it comes to visits, you’ll need to openly discuss and decide who travels when, based on availability, finances, and personal preferences. This flexibility prevents burnout and ensures that visits remain exciting rather than a chore.

Do it consistently until one day, you can finally move in with your LDR partner.

References

BetterHelp. 2025. “What Is Physical Intimacy, And What Impact Can It Have?” https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/intimacy/what-is-physical-intimacy-and-what-impact-can-it-have/