Tips For Keeping Phone Calls Interesting

It is often said that healthy relationships take work to maintain. This statement tends to ring true even more so when it comes to long distance relationships. Though distance has its pitfalls, it simultaneously creates space to truly get to know the ins and outs of your partner’s thoughts, feelings and interests. 

With the continuous advent of virtual communication options, there are a number of ways to get to know your partner and maintain that spark from miles away. Below are ten tips for keeping your phone calls interesting in a long distance relationship. 

1. Choose a TV series to watch together.
   
   Streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu and HBO Max have made it easier than ever to keep up with our favorite series from anywhere at any time. Choosing a television series to watch together can offer a great point of discussion for an extended period of time.
   
   Schedule time to watch your chosen show together, or coordinate your watch pace. Make time for a phone call after each episode, and share your thoughts, feelings and predictions.
   
   Try choosing a show that piques both of your interests. Some popular binge-worthy shows include Breaking Bad, Succession, Lost, Westworld, Arrested Development and many more.

2. Schedule virtual dates.
   
   While casual phone calls are a vital part of long distance relationships, scheduling dedicated “dates” is a great way to keep romance alive from afar. If possible, set a weekly time to meet via Facetime, Zoom, or other means of video calling.
   
   Ordering similar food, playing a game, or planning a virtual beer or wine tasting can all serve as fun virtual date activities for you and your long distance love.

3. Play video games together.
   
   Though online gaming is typically associated with titles like Call of Duty and Fortnite, there are multitude of online games available for any type of “gamer”. Consoles like the Nintendo Switch offer a number of multiplayer games such as Mario, Yoshi, and Kirby games. Additionally, nearly every traditional board game such as chess, Monopoly, and trivia games are often available to play with a partner online. Choose an area of interest with your partner and see what online games would be fun to play together.

4. Plan your next in-person visit.
   
   In-person visits are typically a vital part of any long distance relationship, and planning these visits takes both time and effort. Planning dates, locations and activities for upcoming visits is a great point of discussion for those in long distance relationships.
   
   Make planning calls more interesting by each selecting activities, restaurants, or other fun things you may want to incorporate into your next visit.

     5.  Send photos and videos of your day-to-day life. 

         Sending frequent photos or videos of the things you come across in your day-to-day life can be a fun way to             keep long distance conversations interesting. For example, sending a photo of a pretty bird or cute dog you               crossed paths with can make you and your partner feel more connected throughout the day.

   Additionally, sending selfies or “saucy” photos can serve as an easy way to ignite romance and                                     excitement. Apps like Snapchat are great for sending casual photos and videos back and forth with ease.

1. Do chores or run errands “together”.
   
   Doing chores and running errands are not necessarily fun activities, but doing these things with your partner “by your side” can make them more interesting. With wireless headphones and headsets, calling your partner before doing the dishes or running into the store can make it feel as though you are executing your daily routines together.

2. Check-in about communication needs.
   
   Long distance relationships require a considerable amount of communication to maintain a strong bond between partners. Frequently checking in with each other regarding your level of communication and individual needs can be helpful.
   
   For example, more texts, calls or dedicated video calls may be vital to maintaining your relationship. Discussing these needs over the phone can provide comfort and clarity for both parties.

3. Plan for the future.
   
   Typically, those of us in long distance relationships hope to eventually move toward an in-person relationship at some point in time. If you are at a point in the relationship where living together is a realistic goal, start discussing these future plans.
   
   Things like location, options for work, living arrangements, and so on tend to take a significant amount of thought and planning and will likely require fairly continuous conversation.

4. Send each other small surprises.
   
   Receiving a small gift or package typically brings a smile to nearly anyone’s face. Surprising your partner with flowers, lunch, a handwritten letter or a small gift are great ways to keep romance alive and drum up a fun, easy topic to discuss on your next phone call.

5. Be sure to check-in daily.
   
   While long, daily phone calls may not be possible depending on your situation, a quick daily check-in can help to keep you and your partner feeling connected. A daily “good morning” or “goodnight” text, or a quick call to say “Hello, I miss you,” may help to maintain the trust and comfort in your long-distance relationship. 

Navigating Long-Distance Relationships

Despite the numerous ways to keep long-distance relationships fun, intimate and engaging, distance can present a multitude of unique challenges to navigate. Typically, trust and communication are vital to maintaining a relationship from afar, yet both of these necessities can be complex and difficult to uphold without guidance or understanding.