Jesse James Jamnik: Life, Love and Long Distance

1. Life, Love And Long Distance
Jesse James Jamnik

2. A long distance relationship is the realest
relationship you are going to get, and this is why:

3. It’s a time to keep your walls down, be open about your
emotions and feelings – the good and the bad. And, don’t let
the little things become mountains while you are apart.
Leave those challenges to the real mountains.

4. Talk, talk, talk. About everything and anything. The big
things and the little things. Become the best
communicators you know how to be. Especially make time
for the difficult things, they could make or break you.

5. Quality Time. This might mean snuggling up on the couch,
to fall asleep 5 minutes later. It might mean a morning
breakfast date. It might be that long run you have been
waiting for all week. Whatever it is to you – make time for it.

6. Rely on trust. Don’t question. Don’t compete. Don’t have
doubts on expressions and overly scrutinize. Accept the
situation, trust your love and know it is strong enough to
endure the months and months apart.

7. Use your independence to bring you closer. Be as
dependent as ever, but never give up your own life during
these months apart. You have to create life where you are.

8. Do everything you can
do to make the
relationship work – and
I mean everything. You
are going to be the most
vulnerable you have
ever been, you are going
to need help and
support. Unfortunately,
you will sometimes wait
until the last minute to
express this and it
results in an over the
top breakdown. [It’s
usually fixed by a strong,
warm hug].

9. Make up for the lack of physical affection. If you think your relationship
won’t suffer at the onset of a non-existent sex life, think again. I’m not
going into the details here, but don’t forget this friends, get creative.
Relationships are more than phone calls and hand holding.

10. Share your rituals. For us, that meant sticking to the same workout
routine, even if we could not train together [one of the biggest “I miss you”
triggers]. This is how we can still do what we love to do, and share the
experience together.

11. Try to stay positive. This is going to be the hardest part, but you have to
do it. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, but while it may not be the best day, I
am certain there is something we can be grateful for. Like, I am grateful
that we can make this relationship work together – miles apart we have
someone that loves us back.