Photo Credit: Twitter - @blvckcouples
While most people believe that there is no substitute for face-to-face meetings, a lot of long-distance relationships (LDR) have survived and even outlasted close relationships.
Here are things to note before committing to a long-distance relationship:
#1. The Internet is Always Your Friend
For starters, get used to the fact that you won't be seeing your partner a lot in person. You would have to rely on calls (audio & video), texting,
e-mails and whatever form of social communication there is on the internet.
#2. Less Nagging, Fewer Demands
People in really close relationships always complain of their partners nagging, demanding and/or expecting too much of them. This is reduced in an LDR as the partners barely have time to communicate and would rather spend that time consolidating the gains of the relationship.
#3. Time is on Your Side
A positive side to being in an LDR is that you will have enough time on your hands to accomplish a whole lot of other things. The time that would have been spent on physically bonding with your partner can be used to pursue that passion or read that book as you now have the "freedom" or "privacy" that the distance allows.
#4. August Visits
You are going to have the once-in-a-while visits where you both make up for all the absence. These limited meetings often come with high expectations. There is the pressure to make sure the time spent together is of the highest quality.
Expect lots of physical activity such as lovemaking, nights out together, going to the movies etc. in a short time. You can schedule the visits and plan it together so that each party is fully aware of what to expect.
#5. Less Intimacy
Affection is going to be a lot more communication and less physical meets. You are going to have fewer activities together. Things like going to the movies, shopping and cooking meals won't be done together except maybe virtually.
#6. Lots of Unsolicited Advice
There's going to be pressure from friends and family telling you to ditch the relationship for someone who is closer to you than your faraway-land partner.
#7. Financial Burden
LDRs come with an increased financial burden as the persons involved have to put in the effort to maintain the relationship. Phone bills, flight tickets, courier services are top on the list of expenses and would still leave partners unsatisfied.
#8. Lonely Times
With your partner in Timbuktu, you will feel lonely a lot especially if you see random couples enjoying intimacy around you. On some nights it is going to be frustrating and depressing being without your partner.
#9. Less Sex
People with hitherto regular sex lives can go crazy in the absence of physical interaction. For partners who are open to it, you can sext each other, make video calls whilst semi-clad or even take it a notch higher by sending raunchy pictures to one another. Technology, again, to the rescue as always.
#10. Jealousy
A recently concluded research showed that those in LDRs with no face-to-face contact experienced more jealousy than those in geographically close relationships.
Partners with limited face-to-face contact reported significantly lower levels of satisfaction, commitment, and trust. If you can, avoid stalking them in times like this or ask questions about whom they are spending time with. Recognize and confront those insecurities when they rear their ugly head and learn to trust your partner.
While LDRs can be emotionally challenging, it can be very rewarding if love, communication and respect are held sacred.