Overcoming the Difficulties of a Long Distance Relationship
Having been in a long distance relationship myself, I know how difficult it can be to make it work.
Any relationship has its challenges, but from my own personal experience a long distance one brings its own special set of tests and frustrations.
While a relationship that doesn't involve distance requires a huge amount effort on both sides to see each other, be patient with each other and keep the feelings alive, a long distance relationship requires all these things and more.
Usually, it's fairly simple to see each other; figure out schedules so that you both have a break in work, pick a spot to meet, and so on.
Calling each other is also more simple - especially when costly long distance calling charges aren't usually involved! You get to see each other on a regular basis, and have the option of moving in with each when you feel ready.
With a long distance relationship, or "ldr," all of these simple things become a lot more difficult.
You can't spontaneously plan a visit with each other, especially if your budgets are tight and plane tickets are required.
It can be extra difficult to find an opening large enough in your schedules to do a long enough visit to fly to see each other and then make the time worthwhile.
Plane tickets are also expensive, and not everybody is able to buy them on a whim.
Something as simple as a phone call can become hard as well, with long distance calling charges involved and sometimes also time zone differences.
But there are many advantages to an ldr as well, and remembering these can help when you're feeling frustrated about how you can't be with each other as often as you'd like.
Being in a relationship where you're far apart means that you have to really focus on getting to know the other person.
Physical attraction can't play as much of a part in keeping your relationship alive, so the focus really gets placed on personalities and intelligent interaction.
You and your partner get a head start above all other couples in learning how to communicate effectively with each other - this is especially important when communication breakdown is often a problem in relationships later on.
Both of you will learn more about each other, and learn how to be patient with each other.
You'll learn to really value your relationship and each other while people in non-long distance relationships might not be forced to be as open with each other.
Basically, being in a long distance relationship can strengthen your ties with and your understanding of your partner so much that your relationship will have a much higher chance of surviving into the future, when other couples may have succumbed to the unfortunate trend of divorce.
Any relationship has its challenges, but from my own personal experience a long distance one brings its own special set of tests and frustrations.
While a relationship that doesn't involve distance requires a huge amount effort on both sides to see each other, be patient with each other and keep the feelings alive, a long distance relationship requires all these things and more.
Usually, it's fairly simple to see each other; figure out schedules so that you both have a break in work, pick a spot to meet, and so on.
Calling each other is also more simple - especially when costly long distance calling charges aren't usually involved! You get to see each other on a regular basis, and have the option of moving in with each when you feel ready.
With a long distance relationship, or "ldr," all of these simple things become a lot more difficult.
You can't spontaneously plan a visit with each other, especially if your budgets are tight and plane tickets are required.
It can be extra difficult to find an opening large enough in your schedules to do a long enough visit to fly to see each other and then make the time worthwhile.
Plane tickets are also expensive, and not everybody is able to buy them on a whim.
Something as simple as a phone call can become hard as well, with long distance calling charges involved and sometimes also time zone differences.
But there are many advantages to an ldr as well, and remembering these can help when you're feeling frustrated about how you can't be with each other as often as you'd like.
Being in a relationship where you're far apart means that you have to really focus on getting to know the other person.
Physical attraction can't play as much of a part in keeping your relationship alive, so the focus really gets placed on personalities and intelligent interaction.
You and your partner get a head start above all other couples in learning how to communicate effectively with each other - this is especially important when communication breakdown is often a problem in relationships later on.
Both of you will learn more about each other, and learn how to be patient with each other.
You'll learn to really value your relationship and each other while people in non-long distance relationships might not be forced to be as open with each other.
Basically, being in a long distance relationship can strengthen your ties with and your understanding of your partner so much that your relationship will have a much higher chance of surviving into the future, when other couples may have succumbed to the unfortunate trend of divorce.