What to Do If You're Starting a Long-Distance Relationship

Distance doesn't kill relationships by itself -- uncertainty and inconsistency do. Before anything else, agree on the basics out loud: how often you'll talk, roughly when you'll next see each other, and what counts as being exclusive, so neither of you is guessing.

Then build small rituals that don't depend on grand gestures: a daily voice note, a show you watch on a call, a standing time to talk that isn't just a status update. Protect at least one conversation a week that's just about you two, not logistics -- that's what keeps it a relationship and not a long checklist.