How to Have a Successful Long Distance Online Relationship

In this day and age of the computer and internet revolution, many people from all around the world have gotten involved in long distance relationships with others they've met online. While most of them are friendships, some of them turn into an online romance.

What are the advantages of having an online romance versus a real word romance?

Well, first of all, neither of you has to be grossed out by the other persons habits. For instance, if my dog stinks, you don't have to smell it. If you snore, I don't have to hear it. You don't have to deal with my sloppy kitchen, and I don't have to deal with your disgusting lilac-scented air freshener. We don't have to worry about birth control. There won't be any question about who pays the bills. And if you need to get your space from the other person, all you have to do is log off your computer! What could be simpler?

Having said that, when an online friendship becomes a romance, it can be truly awesome -- IF you know how to avoid the most common problem areas that arise during such a relationship.

Firstly, perhaps the most important rule of all is simply this:

1. DO NOT PUT EMPHASIS ON AN EVENTUAL FACE-TO-FACE MEETING WITH THE OTHER PERSON!

I know this is a really tough cross to bear, but the fact is most people who have online romances never actually meet the person on the other end of cyberspace face-to-face. So what usually happens is one of the people starts to get antsy when the meeting doesn't happen. Or both people want it to happen but deep down they both know that when they meet it will only be temporary, unless one or the other person is willing to give up everything and move to be with the other person. It's a great romantic fantasy, but most of the time it does not happen.

Instead, do just the opposite; assume you will never meet the other person. Be happy with what you can have together online. Accept it and be happy with the circumstances the way they are. If both of you can accept the parameters of an online romance without trying to force it towards a "let's meet in person" scenario, you will be much happier and will enjoy each other's company a lot more.

2. TRY TO FIND SOMEONE WITH A SIMILAR LIFESTYLE