The Pros and Cons of Long Distance Relationships*

As I’m sure you all know by now, a few years ago I was in a long distance relationship. It lasted just over 9 months before we financially and mentally couldn’t do it anymore. I think if I didn’t have LM we could have lasted longer but I just wasn’t flexible enough when it came to the crunch and neither of us were ready to move in together. Oh well. What’s meant for you will never pass as my Grandpa used to tell me.

It wasn’t all bad. In fact, there were some great reasons for it. We’d both been hurt in the past so the distance was often a godsend. I think if you have the right circumstances long distance can work, it just didn’t for us.

The best part of long distance relationships is the fact it opens the dating pool a little wider. If you’re prepared to do long distance you’ll be able to have access to more online dating such as The Cardiff Dating Site or even Mature Cardiff Dating. I know personally just how hard it is to find someone to date locally that shares similar interests without a class of personality (or ex partners!)

So today I’m going to share some of the pros and cons I’d learned from being in a long distance relationship;

Pros

It Helps Build Trust
When you’re in a long distance relationship you have to be aware that you won’t be able to be in touch 24 hours a day. You have to respect your partner’s time management and believe that when they can check in with you, they will. This is especially important if the distance is due to work or schooling. Although trust is important in all relationships you have to understand that it’s crucial in a long distance relationship.

If you meet someone through online dating like Date Cardiff Singles, you need to make sure they know from the outset what you want to get from a long distance relationship, that trust has to grow from the start.

It Shows You What Your Relationship Can Handle
When in a long distance relationship you do very much focus on the “when we’re together” phase that should hopefully come down the line. Sometimes that can put pressure on your bond but more often than not it helps strengthen it. If your relationship can withstand the distance you’ll be more prepared to cope with other stresses that will come down the line.

You’ll Appreciate Your Time Together
You’re less likely to reach a point of being sick of your partner because every moment you’re together is precious. Physically and mentally. The time you spend together will be more special. You’ll really appreciate the little things.

Cons

It’s Hard
I’m sorry, but I’m not going to sugar coat it. It’s hard to do long distance because you don’t have the same access to your partner as you would if they lived near by. You can’t just seem them because you had a bad day. And with the cost of transport in the UK you usually need to plan in advance so you don’t get to be spontaneous!

Loneliness
Although you might be in a relationship you might feel lonelier than ever, especially if you feel surrounded by other couples. Yes you might have someone at the end of the phone but it’s not the same as having them there in person. This can lead to resentment and upset.

Miscommunication Leads to Heartache
When you’re only communicating via text, email or even phonecalls it can be so easy to miscommunicate with each other. A different tone of voice. The lack of enthusiasm behind a text or even just the lack of communication. If you’re in a new relationship it’s not always easy to know what your partner is thinking and sometimes you don’t even know what’s going on.

If you can keep a long distance relationship going, I applaud you. But hey, isn’t true love supposed to survive all obstacles? You love really must be true, congrats!