How to Maintain an Intimate Relationship in a Digital World

The paradox of the digital world is that technology makes it easier for people to connect with others, while also making it harder to maintain intimate relationships. In the end, it is all about balancing your digital and in-person interactions to maintain lasting relationships. When used right, technology can enrich relationships, and it makes it easier to connect with loved ones. Here are a few ways you can use technology to maintain lasting, worthwhile, intimate relationships.

Use Your Tech for Good

With an iPhone 7 on T-Mobile's speedy 4G LTE network, you have endless tools at your fingertip that can make finding and keeping intimate relationships much easier. With unlimited and extremely fast data, you can connect to people from all over the world. Whether you are using Facetime, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Kik, Instagram, Viber, or others, you can instantly communicate with new and old friends from anywhere. The beauty is that you can use these social networks to make new friends, establish business connections, stay in touch with loved ones, and even find love.

Be Yourself: Online and in Person

One huge drawback of technology is that it allows others to be, or try to be, people they are not. There are people who are super funny on an Internet comment thread but rather bland in person. On the other hand, you might be witty, goofy, and smart in person, but your Internet persona is far more measured and serious. Of course, social media profiles don't always show who a person really is. Most people choose to only present their best, most exciting, and most attractive self, along with highly edited pictures.

No matter how you are using technology to connect to others, whether it's Facebook, Instagram, chat rooms, or a dating website, it pays to be honest. You will eventually be meeting up with other people in person. If you present yourself as truthfully as possible, there won't be a huge disconnect between you and your online person. If you refrain from saying things on the Internet that you would not say when face-to-face with that person, you are more likely to have real connection.

Staying in Touch Is So Easy With Modern Tech

One of the best things about the digital world is that you can stay in touch with others more easily. Your best friend from middle school just had her first child? "Congrats on the new one! Can't wait to meet her." You're trying to get your college buddies back together for a reunion? Start a group text: "Hey guys! June reunion trip to San Diego? Who's in?"

It's just so easy to reach out and stay in touch with all of our friends and loved ones that it is honestly hard to think of excuses any more. You don't even need to wait until you get home to send an email or share a web link. When used thoughtfully, technology allows you to keep up friendships.

Don't Search for Validation Through the Internet

Social media is now an integral part of our lives. Many people truly define themselves by their online persona. There is nothing wrong from spending time on social media as long as it doesn't consume you. If you are searching for validation on the Internet, expect to be disappointed. Gaining a thousand followers might feel good, but losing a hundred will feel much, much worse!

You might use social media to maintain friendships and share things with friends and family who live far away. You might use it to entertain yourself. You could look at memes for hours. You could chat with friends and comment on their posts all day long. You can post as much as you want, as long as you don't let it dictate how you are acting and treating the people who are actually around you. Never let your social media presence be a measure of your personal success or happiness.

If you are smart about how you use technology, it can supplement your personal and intimate relationships.

Image via Flickr by Jason Howie