Long distance relationships ask a lot of you. When you live in different cities, staying connected takes intention, especially in the days between visits. My boyfriend lives in San Francisco and I live in Portland. Even though we are lucky enough to see each other several times a month, there are still long periods where we live our daily lives in different places.
Over time, we learned that staying close and distant doesn’t mean doing something elaborate. It’s about finding simple ways to stay present with each other.
A quick voice note when returning home. A shared playlist that continues to evolve. Schedule the next visit before the end of the current visit. These little habits make the distance manageable and remind you that you are still building a life together, even when you are apart.
Long Distance Relationship Ideas That Actually Help You Stay Connected
Although every relationship is different, the goal is the same: find ways to feel present in each other’s lives, even when you’re apart. Some are romantic, some are practical, and some are just fun. The best ones become little rituals that you return to again and again — the kind of habits that make the time between visits a little easier.
The truth is, long distance relationships don’t have to feel like something you go through until circumstances change. With the right rituals, they can deepen communication, build anticipation, and make the time you spend together even more meaningful.
Below, you’ll find our favorite long-distance relationship ideas: from romantic surprises to cozy virtual rituals to modern, tech-friendly habits that help you stay connected wherever you are.
Daily habits that make distancing easier
My boyfriend and I have found a few small habits that make distancing easier. None of them are complicated, but they help us feel like we still share the everyday aspects of life.
1. Send photos of your day. A quick photo of a morning walk, a favorite coffee shop, or your neighborhood farmers market helps your partner feel included in your daily life, even when you’re in different cities.
2. Keep a shared playlist. Start a playlist that you both add to over time. It becomes a continuous soundtrack to your relationship and gives you something to listen to when you miss each other.
3. Plan the next visit before saying goodbye. Before one visit ends, mark the next one on the calendar. Having something to look forward to makes spending time together much more manageable.
Long Distance Romantic Relationship Ideas
4. Plan a surprise visit. If schedules permit, an unexpected reunion can be one of the most memorable ways to reconnect.
5. Send something that brightens their space. The flowers are classic, but a favorite candle or fresh bread from a bakery you love can be just as thoughtful.
6. Swap your signature scents. Wear or spray your partner’s favorite perfume can be a surprisingly comforting reminder of their presence.
7. Send a favorite book with notes inside. Send them a novel, collection of poetryor an essay book you like, highlighting passages that remind you of them.
8. Write a handwritten letter. There’s something special about receiving real mail that isn’t a bill (lol). A handwritten note instantly feels more personal than text.
Relaxing ways to stay connected remotely
9. Share an end-of-day check-in call. Instead of texting throughout the day, set aside time in the evening to chat about your ups and downs.
10. Go for a walk and talk. Call each other while you are both out for a walk. It’s almost like you’re exploring together.
11. Send a little “thinking of you” package. A favorite snack, a book you loved, or something that reminded you of one can make an ordinary week special.
12. Take a meditation or breathing class together. Apps like Headspace or Calm make it easy to share a relaxing ritual, even remotely.
Long Distance Dinner Date Ideas
13. Cook the same meal together. Choose one recipe you both get excited and cook while video chatting.
14. Send delivery from their favorite restaurant. Ordering dinner for your long-distance partner is an easy way to show you care.
15. Order the same coffee subscription. Signing up for the same subscription makes it easy to enjoy something together every month.
16. Take a virtual cooking class together. Many chefs now offer online classes, making it a shared and fun activity.
Thoughtful gestures that show you care
17. Give them a plant. A low-maintenance plant becomes a living reminder of your relationship.
18. Create a shared watchlist. Keep a running list of shows and movies you want to watch together so you always have something planned for your next virtual movie night.
19. Plan your next trip together, even if it’s hypothetical. Choose a destination, search for hotels, and create a shared list of places you want to try. Planning something together keeps the future shared.
20. Stock their fridge before you leave. If you’re visiting, leaving some groceries behind is a nice and practical gesture.
Fun Long Distance Activities to Do Together
21. Take a virtual workout class together. From yoga to dance sessions, moving together (apart) can be surprisingly fun.
22. Start a book club for two people. Pick a book each month and talk about it on your next video call.
23. Listen to the same podcast. Choose a podcast series and discuss the episodes as you go.
24. Play an online game together. Whether it’s chess, Mario Kart, or a puzzle game, a little friendly competition keeps things light.
Tech-Friendly Long Distance Relationship Ideas
25. Keep a shared notes app. Use it to jot down ideas, future plans, or things you want to talk about later.
26. Send voice notes instead of texts. Hearing your partner’s voice, even briefly, can instantly close the distance.
27. Start a daily photo ritual. Send a photo of your day each evening. It’s a simple way to stay connected to everyone’s routines.
Final Thoughts
Long distance relationships are not always easy. There are missed dinners, quiet apartments, and plenty of moments where you wish you could pass your hand over the couch instead of a screen. But distance also allows us to refine what matters.
When you live in different places, connection becomes something you practice intentionally. You learn to communicate more clearly, plan time together thoughtfully, and appreciate ordinary moments that you might otherwise take for granted.
My boyfriend and I are still counting the days until our next flight from PDX to SFO. But in the meantime, these little rituals help us stay present in each other.
Because at the end of the day, long-distance relationships aren’t about cutting down the miles between you. It’s about continuing to choose yourself, wherever you are.
This article was last updated on March 18, 2026 to include new information.
The position 27 Long Distance Relationship Ideas to Stay Close, Even When You’re Miles Apart appeared first on Camille Styles.