Years ago, the only way to communicate with a loved one, when two people were miles apart, was by mail or by a house phone. At that time the concept of a ‘long distance’ relationship seemed as if it was too much of a bother and people would advise against it. Times might have changed, but misconceptions about long distance relationships have not.
In the 21st century, it’s more likely for two people to develop feelings for one another via the internet. Thanks to social media, texting and the introduction of dating apps such as Tinder, a relationship where two people aren’t in the same room or even in the same time zone, might cultivate into something ‘more than friends’.
Despite the ability to basically carry around your partner in your phone, many people are still quick to judge these relationships and strongly believe that it won’t last as a relationship in person would have.
1. It’ll be harder.
There is absolutely no doubt about it, a RELATIONSHIP gets hard at times, however, to say that only long distance relationships are hard isn’t a fair analysis. If you enter a long distance relationship with the right mindset and think to yourself that you’re all in and ready to go through thick or thin with your partner than it won’t be as hard as everyone makes it out to be.
2. A long distance relationship is as good as not having any relationship.
People seem to think that because of the distance, two people can’t be devoted to each other and that it’s better to just to act single whenever you can. Agreed, your loved one isn’t there and probably won’t know what you do or you won’t know what they do but that shouldn’t be the case. If you enter any sort of relationship; be it a virtual or a physical one, if you just assume that you can ‘get away with it’ then yes, it is as better as not having one.
When you’re in a long distance relationship you need to make sacrifices to make it work, you need to stay up late sometimes because your girlfriend wants to Skype or you might have to change your plans for the weekend because your boyfriend is free that day and wants to have a long phone call.
The fact is, if you do all of this because you love your partner than they won’t be sacrifices anymore, they’ll be something you want to do too.
3. Be expressive about your love
All you have are words in a long distance relationship. You can’t interpret how your partner is feeling by just examining their facial expressions. Your words are all you have to know how they’re feeling or to express how you’re feeling.
That means that you have to have great communication skills to make sure that your feelings are explained as they are: no more no less. You might even find yourself reminding your partner more often about your feelings for them because you don’t have any other way to show them but trust me, if you know how to use your words right, it’ll be enough.
4. You don’t have to change your life accordingly.
Absolutely wrong! It’s all about changing your life accordingly. There has to be some plan to meet, some way to actually get together because let’s face it, in the end, after years of being together; you have to personally meet as well.
You might find yourself taking that job in a place besides your desired location or you might have to fly out to meet them if they’re in a different continent.
Every long distance relationship has some sort of an ‘end point’. It’s the time when you need to meet for the relationship to go towards the next level. You need to make sure that your partner feels the same and is prepared to meet you when the time is just right.
5. Your long distance relationship isn’t worth it.
People who think that a long distance relationship isn’t worth it need to take a second and look at the two people in the relationship and not just the means of the relationship. If two people are in love and are prepared to endure months of not being able to meet their perfect match even though they know that they have found them already, if they’re prepared to stay committed to each other regardless of the fact that their date night is a Skype night, if they truly love each other than who’s to say it isn’t worth it?
It is absolutely worth it.
If you’re willing to be with someone for the rest of your life, then such ordeals are part of the package.
Have you ever been in a long distance relationship? How did you find it? Let us know in the comments below.
