Can Dating Long Distance Work?
What Will the Physical Space Mean to Your Relationship?
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but is that really true? Here are a few things to consider.
As anyone that’s been involved in a long-distance relationship knows, being apart can be one of the most difficult things to deal with in the dating world. When you’ve met someone great you naturally want to hold on to them, but can you do that and still be miles apart?
Determine How Long You’ll Be Separated
- If your new love just got a job out of town for a few months, it’s not so bad. If, however, your partner has been transferred to the other side of the globe until a date as yet to be determined, it will mean careful planning and commitment for you both to keep things going. Make a plan to connect frequently with phone calls and emails, and try to see each other as often as you can. It doesn’t have to mean the end of your relationship, but you both have to be dedicated to keeping things fresh and solid. It may mean you decide to stay home on a Friday night to talk on the phone rather than go out with friends, or forfeiting sleep so you can catch a red-eye flight. Just like any relationship, kind gestures will be important. You may also need to have a discussion with your mate to make sure you both want to take the time it will require to keep things strong. But take heart, you can remain close.
Find Out Why Your Partner Will Be Away
- Does your mate have a choice on whether they can leave? If they jump at the chance to take a job out of town without giving much thought to your relationship, it could mean they’re not as serious about things as you are. If they’re moving because they need a change of scenery for a while, it may also signal that your relationship is headed south. But if your partner has a genuine reason for moving (career demands, family issues), you owe it to your mate to at least see if things can work. With dedication, it can.
Determine How Serious Your Relationship Really Is
- Maybe you two just started dating. Or, maybe you’ve been seeing each other casually and haven’t yet moved to the next level of your relationship. If you’re not in a committed partnership, it may not be possible to get serious with your new love until you both reside in the same zip code. It’s not fair to either of you to continue with a bond that has barely got off the ground. However, if you two share a connection that has potential, make a plan to keep in touch. Communicate your intentions to either date other people or simply see where things are when your partner returns.
Have You Both Ever Been In the Same Place?
- If your new love has always lived far away, it doesn’t mean you can’t one day get serious. Keep dating other people until you know that your partner actually wants a relationship with you and isn’t just a player. In order for you both to move to a committed relationship, you need to talk about your expectations and be honest with one another.
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