Getting into an LDR or long-distance relationship is challenging enough, let alone one with someone from another country.

There are so many complications with this approach alone that make it a bad idea, from the logistics of communicating in different time zones and finding ways to meet in person to the nuances of language, culture, and religion.

Although we all want love and companionship, connecting with someone over borders and oceans is not necessary and is a bad idea.

Your first choice should be to find someone in close proximity to you.

This would be someone who lives in your town, state, or country.

Start with looking for people who live in your town and do everything in your power to find love and companionship there.

Trust me, this makes your love life so much easier and far less convoluted.

People are far too quick to seek out an LDR when they believe that their town has no one of romantic appeal thanks to quick access to technology such as the internet and smartphones that can connect people from all over the world.

This is a misleading mindset, as it closes you off to the romantic opportunities all around you.

It’s totally feasible that you have neighbors who would be great romantic matches for you, but you are blind to it.

A neighbor who just moved into your neighborhood has probably seen you already and thought about talking to you but has held back because your body language isn’t at all inviting.

How often do you make eye contact with people who live in your neighborhood and smile?

If you constantly have headphones on and never make eye contact with people who live in your neighborhood, some of whom would be viable romantic options, you are certain to keep missing out on opportunities to connect with someone who is right under your nose.

The same goes for when you are at the park, grocery store, library, walking trail, coffee shop, and deli.

There are multiple opportunities you miss out on to make connections with potential romantic partners in your everyday life.

There are several men who have seen you in the neighborhood who have been curious about you.

They never approach you because you don’t have inviting body language.

When you are on the bus or subway heading into the center of town for work or to meet up with friends, your head is down looking at your phone with headphones on once again.

This tells every other guy who is traveling on the same bus or subway that you don’t want to be approached.

By the time the bus or subway arrives at your stop and you walk out, several men who got on the bus or subway at different points thought about approaching you but never did.

Yet again, you have missed out on potential romantic prospects.

From your own neighborhood to the center of the town you live in, each and every day you are going about your day in public, providing endless opportunities for you to connect with romantic prospects if only you had positive and inviting body language.

There is usually no need for you to seek out an LDR when you make the changes necessary in your body language to be more approachable to the men who live in your neighborhood or town.

It is a bad idea to believe you should seek out someone who lives in another country for an LDR when someone who would be a fantastic romantic prospect for you could be living right under your nose.