5 Common Misconceptions About Long-Distance Relationships
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Over the years, long-distance relationships have been the recipient of a lot of bad rep. Especially since the advent of social media, where people get conned into false relationships, only to discover that the one they one fell in love with is nothing like what they portrayed themselves to be. Thank you, Catfish.
Anyway, this negative publicity has led to a swirl of myths surrounding LDRs (or long-distance relationships), which just refuse to die down. Even if you rub successful LDRs into the faces of the non-believers!
We are here to put to rest the misconceptions about LDRs once and for all! They are not as bad as you think, guys.
Myth No. 1: It’s Way Harder Than A Same-City Relationship
Okay, first of all, ALL relationships are hard. Period. It’s really not fair to say that one type of relationship would be necessarily harder than the other just because of one factor. Even if both of you are in the same city, the relationship you share can be much more challenging due to certain stumbling blocks such as lack of proper communication, clashing interests, ego, and what not.
While, on the other hand, a long-distance couple may share deeper understanding that makes their journey a rather smooth one. Bottom line? The difficulty level of your relationship depends on the mindset you approach it with. Not the kind of relationship you’re in.
Myth No. 2: A Long-Distance Relationship Is Like Having No Relationship At All, So It’s Okay To Act Single
It’s a commonly held belief among people that since distance plays such a major role in an LDR, it’s most convenient to act single whenever possible. The space between an LDR couple apparently does not allow any scope of being devoted to each other, so it’s really like NOT having any relationship at the end of the day.
This is so not right! Granted the couple cannot see each other every day or know exactly what the other person is up to, but that doesn’t excuse someone from acting single whenever they get the chance! Whenever you start any type of relationship, it is your duty to stay committed. If you think you can do whatever you want in your time away from your partner, then it’s best to actually stay single.
Myth No. 3: You Have To Make Regular Displays Of Your Feelings
Words are all you may have to take the heart away of the one you love when in an LDR, but you really don’t have to wear your heart on your sleeve at all times. It’s true that interpreting your partner’s reactions to whatever you say or whatever happens is much harder as you can’t read the expressions off their face. Plus, you feel the need to constantly remind them of how you feel because there’s just no other way for you to show how much they mean to you. However, if you know how to communicate effectively, you do not have to make a constant display of your affections. Just the right words at the right time will do.
Myth No. 4: Your Life Can Remain The Same As Your Partner Is Not Around To Be Considered As A Factor
Again, NO! Starting a new relationship (LDR or not) means changing your life accordingly to make space for the person concerned. Which is especially true for an LDR. You not only have to make time to talk to your partner every day, but you also have to chalk out concrete plans to meet up and find as many ways to be together as possible. Because, to be honest, you really have to spend real, physical time with each other to know each other better.
But you can’t do all of it alone. Your partner should equally participate and be ready to meet you themselves. It’s what you need to move forward and take your relationship to the next level. So, talk to your partner and plan out a real meet-up together whenever possible.
Myth No. 5: A Long-Distance Relationship Is Not Worth The Time And Effort
You know what they say – haters will hate. There are people who will find a problem in everything, including long-distance relationships. You’ll find many people believing that it’s just not worth the time and effort you put in. Such people really need to take a look at successful long-distance love stories.
Moreover, if two people in love are willing to sacrifice so much just so that they can Skype each other goodnight every night, it’s nobody else’s business to judge whether it’s worth it or not. True love will find its way, regardless of the obstacles that come in its path. Even if that obstacle is 3000 miles.
Long-distance relationships are undoubtedly a challenge. However, if the two of you are committed to making it work, the rewards of it are boundless!
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