The pros and cons of long distance relationships

If you were to ask some of the people around you right now about long distance relationships, they would tell you that they are the worst thing anyone could experience. But things are not exactly as they say. Like many other things, long-distance relationships have pros and cons.

As an optimist, I’ll start with the pros or long distance relationships:

• you miss your partner – Couples who live together often have a problem. They don’t have time to miss each other due to the fact that they barely have time alone. They see each other constantly and sometimes this can drive you crazy. In a long distance relationship you get to miss your partner, their smell, smile, touch and many things.
• you have time alone – Despite beliefs to the contrary, my time is very important. In a relationship and outside of it too. You have time to relax, do the things you love, go out with friends, stay with your family, study, or just watch a movie or TV show you love.
• It’s a constant honeymoon – People who are in a long-distance relationship know what I’m talking about. While it’s important to spend time with yourself, when you have the chance to meet your partner it’s a constant honeymoon. They drink wine together and have long romantic evenings, they go out more for walks in the park. And not to mention that the sex is better.

But there are also cons when you are in a long distance relationship:

• Distance ironic huh? But distance is your biggest enemy. You see your partner not as often as you would like and that can be frustrating at times. Especially when you hear your friends having a date on Friday and you know the only thing you have a date with is your laptop. You may also feel like he can’t be there for you, especially during the dark periods of your relationship, because you only see his face, but he can’t hold you.
• technology is your best friend – Since we don’t spend enough time on our phones, a long distance relationship is mostly based on technology. You use Skype, Facebook or text throughout the day to communicate with your partner.
• things can get hot – If you are a rather jealous person, you might go a little crazy in a long distance relationship. Mainly because you want to keep an eye on your boyfriend and if he’s miles away, you can’t.

Despite what people believe, long distance relationships work. But they only work if both partners are fully committed and ready to make it work. Face-to-face relationships have hiccups sometimes, let alone long-distance ones. But if you are ready to make it work, compromise and understand that this situation will not last forever, your relationship will stand. And to be fair, it’s always nice to know that you have someone waiting for you at the train station when you arrive.