Being in a relationship means you’ll always have someone by your side.
That’s a heartwarming thought; after all, life is so much more fun when you have a boyfriend to keep you company and love you the way you want to be loved.
But there will also be times when he will be away from you, like when he goes on vacation. And while it can make you anxious, it does have a bright side.
In fact, time and distance apart can benefit your relationship. It’s essential to have balance. Personal time lets you maintain your identities and allows you space to do what you want.
Plus, it keeps your relationship fresh!
If this is your first time staying home while your boyfriend takes a vacay, you’re in luck.
In this article, I’ll show you the many things you can do while waiting for him to come home. With these tips, you’ll find it easy to make the relationship work despite the distance.
Let’s dive in!
1) Plan your own activities
I get it—you start missing your boyfriend as soon as he says goodbye.
Well, cheer up! As much as you’d love to be sipping cocktails with him on the beach or seeing sights in a new city, you can make your alone time just as exciting.
Keeping yourself busy is essential to shift your focus from his absence.
There are tons of activities you can do to keep yourself busy.
For example, now is the time to pamper yourself! Visit the spa, have your nails done, or get a new haircut.
Or you can learn something new. Take that pottery class you’ve always wanted to try, or learn how to cook or bake.
Look for volunteer work in your community and share your time and talents with others. Volunteering doesn’t just help with missing your boyfriend; it also gives you company because you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people.
Or why not get crafty and creative? Make a painting or a crochet project to express yourself and celebrate your relationship.
Creative projects are perfect for diverting attention away from your boyfriend because you get lost in a flow state. You’ll be completely absorbed in what you’re doing and won’t notice time ticking away.
You could also go on a solo date. Solo dates often get a bad rap because they make you look sad and lonely, as if you couldn’t get anyone to go out with you.
But the truth is, solo dates are refreshing and have many benefits for your mental health. You’ll learn to ignore what others think and develop independence.
Plus, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore things on your own, including your own thoughts, choices, and opinions.
With so many resources around you, there’s always something new and fascinating to discover!
2) Stop worrying about what he’s doing
Being in a long-distance relationship, even if it’s just temporary, can play tricks on your mind, and that’s perfectly understandable.
The lack of physical contact and difficulty in communication can make you feel insecure or disconnected. You might even begin having trust issues or a fear of being cheated on.
There’s an old piece of advice I like thinking about in times like this: Why worry about things you can’t control?
It’s just unproductive and can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. It also takes time and energy away from more positive and fun things you could be doing.
In times like this, you need to take a deep breath and learn to trust your boyfriend.
I know that might be easier said than done, but there are several things you can do to build and maintain trust in your relationship.
Before he leaves for his trip, make sure you’ve talked about your boundaries and expectations while he’s away. Communication is the key to keeping those fears away.
3) Be prepared for random calls
That said, you should also be prepared for your boyfriend to call you at strange or inconvenient times of the day (or night, depending on where he is).
Keep in mind that he could be in a place with a weak signal, so he’ll likely contact you whenever he gets strong WiFi.
Remember, too, that your boyfriend could feel just as insecure as you. He could be making random calls to check up on you.
Instead of being annoyed, take it as an opportunity to assure him of your love and presence despite the distance.
4) Keep each other updated
As I mentioned earlier, communication is essential to stay connected while you’re apart.
Try to schedule a specific time for updating each other. It’s good to exchange stories about what’s going on in your lives while you’re away from each other, even if it’s just the small things.
That way, you’ll both feel included in each other’s lives despite the distance. When you finally get back together, it will also be easy to catch up on things.
5) Schedule online dates
Just because you’re apart doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to romance. Thanks to technology, you can still be as sweet as you want.
Why not have dinner together via video call? You could give it a special touch by dressing up nicely like you would on an actual date.
Little things like this can go a long way in keeping the spark alive in relationships. That’s something I learned from the free Love and Intimacy video by world-renowned shaman Rudá Iandê.
This video taught me how to stay joyful and fulfilled in my love life. I felt like someone understood my struggles to keep love alive in my long-distance relationship and finally offered a practical solution to overcome my trust issues.
If you want to deal with the issues that come with long-distance relationships, I invite you to watch this short video and open your mind to new possibilities.
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6) Plan things for both of you to look forward to
Your boyfriend might be traveling now, but it won’t be forever. When you finally see each other again, wouldn’t it be nice to have something special waiting for him?
You could use your time apart to plan activities to welcome him home. You could make a reservation at a fancy restaurant you haven’t tried yet or book concert tickets.
It could be something simple, like a movie night at home or a hike on a nature trail.
Whatever it is, make sure it would be interesting for both of you.
7) Reconnect with your friends and family
Another great idea is to schedule some fun time with your family and friends.
Instead of sitting at home alone and counting down to your boyfriend’s return, use this opportunity to reconnect with people you haven’t had time to hang out with.
This could mean visiting your family if they live away from you or a fun girls’ night out with your friends. You could have a coffee date with them to catch up on your lives.
8) Go on a short trip
Who says you have to stay home pouting while he’s on vacation? You can do the same thing and go on a short trip yourself.
Choose a spot in a nearby town or city and go on a road trip. You could check out a newly-opened hiking trail or go on fun rides at an amusement park.
Whether you go on your own or with friends, you’re bound to have an exciting time.
You’ll do some exploring of your own and bring home new stories to share with your boyfriend. And no worries about leaving him behind—this trip will be absolutely guilt-free!
9) Declutter or give your home a makeover
Here’s a tried-and-tested trick for getting your mind off your worries and fears—declutter.
According to research, getting rid of things you no longer use does wonders for your mental health.
Because cleaning up combines physical activity with organizational skills, it allows your mind to destress while keeping your body active. No time to mope about your boyfriend—you’re busy getting things done.
Best of all, you’ll feel a burst of energy and a sense of pride once you finish. There’s nothing like a clean and organized space to make you feel refreshed, at peace, and proud of yourself!
10) Take up extra work hours
You could see your boyfriend going on vacation as a sad and lonely time. Or you could view it as an opportunity to make some money.
When your boyfriend is around, committing to more work hours can be challenging because you want enough time to spend with him.
But while he’s away, you’re free to take those extra work hours without worrying that you’re neglecting him. You’ll be raking in some extra dollars in the process.
It’s all about shifting your perspective.
Final thoughts
As you can see, you don’t have to sit around moping and waiting for your special guy to come home. You can use your time apart wisely and welcome him back refreshed and energized.
Remember that it’s healthy for couples to have time apart. A vacation can be an excellent opportunity for both of you to recharge and return to your relationship with renewed energy.
Can a relationship coach help you too?
If you want specific advice on your situation, it can be very helpful to speak to a relationship coach.
I know this from personal experience…
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