Before I start, let me assure you ladies–a lot of you will relate to this. Long-distance relationships are not a curse, and I realised it when I got into one with my partner and ended up marrying him. Before you start reaching for those issues though, let’s get one thing clear: if it’s meant to be, it will stand the test of time and distance, come what may. Of course then, it’s really convenient to put the blame on distance and not work on your relationship. But the thing is, distance, at times, can teach you a lot about life and help you grow as an individual. That growth can make your equation with your partner even better.
So if you think about, long-distance relationships don’t always have to be a bane. Read on to know why it was a boon for me.
1. Trust is stronger
My long distance was really long. It wasn’t just Delhi-Bombay; it was overseas. We didn’t get to meet every three months as many long-distance couples do. I was in Bombay, he was in Brussels. All we had was our trust and faith in each other.
Trust is key to a strong foundation. The distance left us with no option but to trust in each other, and it worked in our favour and made our bond stronger. You actually learn to let go your insecurities.
2. Space is important
Giving each other space in a relationship is really crucial. And when you are in a long distance relationship, you get it in abundance. You get to do your own things the way you want to, and explore your individuality. Ask any couple, and they’ll tell you that there have been times when they felt trapped in a relationship.
You see, that’s the beauty of a long-distance bond. You get to spend time with yourself, which allows you to introspect, heal, and grow. As a result, you become emotionally independent, inculcate that oft-needed maturity to sustain a relationship, and build better problem-solving skills.
3. It keeps the urge going
I’ll admit it: I would seethe with jealousy looking at couples getting cozy with each other. It did make me feel lonely at times; but deep within I knew the distance was worth the wait. We met once a year for a week at most–but those seven days, were all mine. I lived that week to the fullest and made the most of it.
Trust me meeting your BAE after months is a lot better than meeting them every weekend. That urge of seeing each other becomes stronger and doesn’t fade away. Above all, your partner never takes you for granted. It gets lonely at times, but nothing beats the joy of meeting him after months–the hugs and kisses are a lot more special and intense. You know what I mean!
4. Your relationship is way beyond the physical
Does anything get better than that? You realise you are going to be with each other even if you don’t get a chance to be intimate. Love is important. Lust is important too, but if it’s just about sex–then it’s a problem. Not to mention, an emotional connect lasts longer than any physical connection. And a long-distance relationship just shows you the mirror!
5. You learn to be on your own
Face it ladies: any problem that hits, your go-to person is BAE. You don’t even think of solving it on your own–you get that comfortable. Long-distance relationship actually teaches you to be on your own, and fix your own problems. It’s a great feeling–being independent. Well, we don’t mean you don’t enlist BAE’s problem-solving tactics at all; rather, keep only the absolute crisis for him to gauge.
6. You communication skills get an upgrade
In a long distance relationship, all you get to do is talk, talk, and talk. As a result, you connect deeply and learn to communicate better. A lot of arguments can be solved by talking to each other, and who knows it better than couples in long-distance relationships? It prepares you for your future, and trains you to deal with miscommunications a lot more maturely.
7. You become patient
Patience in a way is a solution to most of our problems. And trust me, I say this out of personal experience. I was very impulsive by nature, but my long-distance relationship made me a whole lot calmer, and that makes love easy for me. Yes! There will be times when you’ll get frustrated and irritated–but a little patience will help you in the longer run. And you won’t regret it.
And lastly, you realise that if you can survive the distance, your relationship can survive anything!
