<p>Long-distance relationships can feel like a never-ending uphill climb. When there are miles between you and your partner, it&#39;s easy to fall into patterns that make connecting feel more like a chore than a choice. Whether you&#39;re separated by a two-hour drive or multiple time zones, the question eventually surfaces: &quot;How do we keep going without it feeling like endless work?&quot;</p><p>We understand this struggle deeply. The fatigue that comes with maintaining connection across distance is real and valid. But what if the solution isn&#39;t about working harder, but about reimagining what your relationship is actually <em>for</em>? What if the distance itself offers unique opportunities that proximity never could?</p><p><strong>In this episode, we talk about:</strong></p><p>— The importance of clarifying the purpose of your relationship and how this purpose might shift over time</p><p>— Why mono-normative expectations can create unnecessary pressure in long-distance relationships</p><p>— How to design relationship rituals that create meaning without becoming another obligation</p><p>— The value of regularly revisiting and refreshing your relationship agreements</p><p>— Understanding the unique grief that comes with long-distance relating and how to honor it</p><p>— Finding the &quot;golden shadows&quot; of distance—the unexpected benefits that proximity doesn&#39;t offer</p><p>— Why endurance alone isn&#39;t enough to sustain connection, and how meaning-making transforms the experience</p><p>— The danger of idealizing proximity and forgetting the challenges that come with day-to-day relating</p><p>— Creating structure that allows for both stability and novelty in your connection</p><p>— Practical ways to inject fresh energy and imagination into long-distance relationships</p><p><strong>Resources mentioned in this episode:</strong></p><p>— Francis Weller&#39;s <a href="https://www.francisweller.net/the-wild-edge-of-sorrow-the-sacred-work-of-grief.html">work on grief</a></p><p>JOIN The Year Of Opening® community for a full year of learning &amp; support. Registration is open now at <a href="http://www.theyearofopening.com/">⁠⁠www.TheYearOfOpening.com⁠⁠</a></p><p>Learn the <a href="https://www.jolihamilton.com/salon">5 secrets to open your relationship the smart way</a></p><p>Are you ready to open your relationship happily? Find out at <a href="http://www.joliquiz.com/">www.JoliQuiz.com</a></p><p>Get the answers you want to create the open relationship of your dreams! <a href="https://www.jolihamilton.com/ama">Sign up for an Ask Me Anything here</a></p><p>Music: Dance of Felt by <a href="https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/242798">⁠Blue Dot Sessions</a></p>