Long Distance Relationship Tips

There is a down side to long distance relationships. You may tire of the travel, of not having a partner who’s there to share in the day-to-day joys and travails of a life partnership. At that point, the question facing long distance romance is similar to the question all couples face at some point: do we take it to the next level? For long distance couples, it’s ideal if you can test moving to the next level before one of you uproots your life and displaces to the other’s home turf. Here’s a list of things to begin the process:

• If you haven’t already, start introducing your long distance love to key people in your life. How does it go with your friends, family, workmates? Do they mesh well?
• Who has greater flexibility to move? And do you honestly explore what sacrifices will be involved for both parties? It may seem self-evident who should move but all options should be explored so no one feels they’re making all the sacrifices.
• Whoever is likely to move, what opportunities exist for that person to create his or her own life, career, friends? Initially, it’s normal to be somewhat dependent on the person who is based there, but the person moving will have to create a life for him or herself or resentment and suffocation can emerge from one or both parties.
• Above all, talk about concerns, fears, anxieties. If you can’t lay this stuff on the table now, it won’t get easier once you two are sharing a home and a life and your lives are intertwined.