CONS
1. You don't get to see each other as often as you would like.
Whether it's weeks, months, or years between visits, the wait is never easy, and you will undoubtedly be lonely from time to time. You'll begin to miss the small things like holding hands and cuddling.
1. You don't get to see each other as often as you would like.
Whether it's weeks, months, or years between visits, the wait is never easy, and you will undoubtedly be lonely from time to time. You'll begin to miss the small things like holding hands and cuddling.
2. When you do get to see each other, the cost of traveling can be pricey.
Depending on how far apart you are, there's the cost of gas, plane tickets, bus/train tickets, etc.
Depending on how far apart you are, there's the cost of gas, plane tickets, bus/train tickets, etc.
3. Aside from travel, visits themselves can be expensive.
When the significant other comes into town, chances are you won't be sitting at home for the entirety of the visit. Instead, you'll be going to local attractions and restaurants, both of which cost money.
When the significant other comes into town, chances are you won't be sitting at home for the entirety of the visit. Instead, you'll be going to local attractions and restaurants, both of which cost money.
4. You may need more than one weekend to make the trip worth it.
Sometimes the length of travel makes a weekend visit impractical, so missing classes or using vacation days at work to see your significant other may be necessary.
Sometimes the length of travel makes a weekend visit impractical, so missing classes or using vacation days at work to see your significant other may be necessary.
5. There's more potential for one partner to be unfaithful.
When I mentioned earlier in number 1 that you'll be lonely, I meant it in more ways than one. If one partner is not fully committed or entirely happy, they may stray from their partner and seek intimacy elsewhere. If this happens, it's a sign that the unfaithful partner is not happy for whatever reason; sexual or not. In my opinion, cheating only happens when the relationship is lacking something. It's up to each partner to decide whether regular physical intimacy is a priority in a relationship. If it is, that's something to consider when deciding whether to enter a LDR.
When I mentioned earlier in number 1 that you'll be lonely, I meant it in more ways than one. If one partner is not fully committed or entirely happy, they may stray from their partner and seek intimacy elsewhere. If this happens, it's a sign that the unfaithful partner is not happy for whatever reason; sexual or not. In my opinion, cheating only happens when the relationship is lacking something. It's up to each partner to decide whether regular physical intimacy is a priority in a relationship. If it is, that's something to consider when deciding whether to enter a LDR.
6. You want to punch anyone in the face who complains about not seeing their S/O for a couple days (or hours).
When you regularly go any extended amount of time without seeing your S/O, it becomes rather irksome when you hear people complain about the (short) period of time they've had to go without their S/O. All you want to say is "try living in my shoes!" And then you almost feel proud of yourself because YOU can make it 2+ months without seeing your boyfriend/girlfriend, HA! (But, secretly, you'd trade with the other person in a heartbeat).
When you regularly go any extended amount of time without seeing your S/O, it becomes rather irksome when you hear people complain about the (short) period of time they've had to go without their S/O. All you want to say is "try living in my shoes!" And then you almost feel proud of yourself because YOU can make it 2+ months without seeing your boyfriend/girlfriend, HA! (But, secretly, you'd trade with the other person in a heartbeat).
PROS
1. You become more independent.
Sometimes in a relationship, even the most independent person can lose some of their autonomy in the excitement of being with a romantic love interest. When you're in a long distance relationship, it's impossible to spend every waking minute together (which isn't healthy, anyway), so you're forced to be more independent. You learn to stand on your own two feet instead of living for someone else. This is a wonderful thing.
1. You become more independent.
Sometimes in a relationship, even the most independent person can lose some of their autonomy in the excitement of being with a romantic love interest. When you're in a long distance relationship, it's impossible to spend every waking minute together (which isn't healthy, anyway), so you're forced to be more independent. You learn to stand on your own two feet instead of living for someone else. This is a wonderful thing.
2. You have more time for other priorities in life.
When you spend less time with your boyfriend/girlfriend, you inevitably have more time for other things, such as school, friends, family, hobbies, etc. Make sure you don't spend all your time holed away in your room, waiting for your S/O to text. You'll miss out on life. Also make sure that when you are with friends or family, you don't talk incessantly about your boyfriend/girlfriend. Trust me, you don't want to be that person.
When you spend less time with your boyfriend/girlfriend, you inevitably have more time for other things, such as school, friends, family, hobbies, etc. Make sure you don't spend all your time holed away in your room, waiting for your S/O to text. You'll miss out on life. Also make sure that when you are with friends or family, you don't talk incessantly about your boyfriend/girlfriend. Trust me, you don't want to be that person.
3. You value the time you do have with your S/O that much more.
Couples who see each other all the time may take each other for granted. When you only spend a limited amount of time with someone, you make every minute count.
Couples who see each other all the time may take each other for granted. When you only spend a limited amount of time with someone, you make every minute count.
4. Visits are always fun
As stated above, you're not going to sit around doing nothing during visits. You'll be out seeing local attractions, meeting your S/O's friends or family, going out to eat, and so forth. Although this can get expensive, it's a plus because you are always making great memories. Not only do you get excited for visits because you get to see your sweetie, but because you know you'll be doing a lot of fun things!
5. You get to travel and see new places
If your boyfriend/girlfriend lives in another state, another part of the state, or even a different country(!), you have an excuse to spend some money on travel. It's always an adventure experiencing new things in a different place with the person you love.
If your boyfriend/girlfriend lives in another state, another part of the state, or even a different country(!), you have an excuse to spend some money on travel. It's always an adventure experiencing new things in a different place with the person you love.
6. You have stories to share and things to learn from one another
Depending on how far apart you live from one another, you may have the chance to learn about a different part of the country or world. You'll pick up different sayings from your S/O and learn about different cultural norms from their part of the country/world. For example, unless you live in Wisconsin or know someone from there, you've probably never heard of a bubbler.
Depending on how far apart you live from one another, you may have the chance to learn about a different part of the country or world. You'll pick up different sayings from your S/O and learn about different cultural norms from their part of the country/world. For example, unless you live in Wisconsin or know someone from there, you've probably never heard of a bubbler.
7. LDR's can put a relationship to a test (in a good way)
It's easy to stay in love with someone when you see each other on a consistent basis. When you take away physical proximity and intimacy from a relationship, you learn what else remains. If a couple can survive distance, it's safe to say that they have a solid partnership. In an ideal world, I think every couple should do long distance for a short time before getting engaged. It's the ultimate test of love, and it pays off in the end.
It's easy to stay in love with someone when you see each other on a consistent basis. When you take away physical proximity and intimacy from a relationship, you learn what else remains. If a couple can survive distance, it's safe to say that they have a solid partnership. In an ideal world, I think every couple should do long distance for a short time before getting engaged. It's the ultimate test of love, and it pays off in the end.