Take this time apart to grow and learn about yourselves as people, so that when you get home, you’ll have lots of new stories to share. Come prepared, keep communication open, and work through the bumps as they come. The key to successfully navigating a long-distance relationship is to know yourself and your s.o. Having his support and encouragement while I’ve been in Chile has made the other challenges of study abroad easier to overcome. When I feel down nothing cheers me up like getting an impromptu ‘I love you’ text from my boyfriend. Sometimes that’s what you have to do.įor me-and many others I know-the benefits have outweighed the hardships. They decided to take a break and figure things out when she gets back. The way they saw it, they were experiencing all the hardships of a relationship without enjoying any of the benefits. One of my good friends here was in a long-distance relationship with her boyfriend for two years, and after a couple of months abroad they realized it wasn’t working. Recognize when it’s not working.Īny relationship takes work, and sometimes one or both of you can’t make the effort. We have had our fair share of arguments these past four months, and each time we’ve worked through them and come out a stronger as a result. As hard as it may be, talk through issues as they come up. Be open and honest about your thoughts and feelings, and share your different perspectives. Small miscues can become much bigger with time and distance apart. And that can mean growing pains-miscommunications, envy, resentment. Study abroad is a big opportunity for you to grow as a person, so your relationship will have to grow too. Don’t be afraid to fight once in a while. Get excited about the events in each other’s lives, even though you can’t share them in person. Remember to ask about them and provide support when it’s needed. You’re the one trying to figure out a new way of life, that doesn’t mean your s.o.’s life is on pause. Make sure your conversations aren’t always centered on you. This goes a long way toward easing concerns for your wellbeing. Remember to share your travel plans and send a heads up when you’ll be out of touch. Sometimes I really need to complain about friends or classes and I can vent my frustrations, knowing I’ll have his full support. Having an significant other back home also means there’s someone outside your abroad network who has always got your back. There’s freedom in feeling like you can talk to anyone while confidently knowing there’s no way anything romantic will happen. You can get down because you can’t kiss that cute guy at the club, or you can enjoy not dealing with drama. I don’t, and here’s why: I don’t have to worry about boys anymore. People have asked me many times whether I feel tied down or restricted. Since Wi-Fi is pretty abundant in Chile, we chat regularly and send videos and articles we find funny or interesting. You don’t have to constantly text or Skype, but it’s important to be part of each other’s day-to-day life as much as you can. Before I left, I wrote him 182 love notes (one for each day we’ll be apart) and put them into a jar so he can hear from me even when I can’t actually talk to him. I brought one of his flannel shirts with me, and the journal I write in every day was a gift from him. It helped us to plan fun ways to keep each other present in our lives (warning: this is going to get gooey). It’s important to discuss your concerns early if either of you has doubts about the experience. What were our expectations of each other? How would we keep in touch? How often would we call or FaceTime? We had open conversations about our worries and our hopes for this semester apart. This article has been viewed 6,554 times.In the months before I left for Chile, we talked a lot about how we to continue our relationship despite the distance. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. She has also been featured as a relationship expert on CBS, iHeartRadio, and PBS “This Emotional Life Project.” Julianne has contributed to numerous media such as Your Tango Online Magazine, 24Seven Wellness Magazine, and Talk of The Town Magazine. So, oftentimes his desire to be in a committed relationship with you will develop as. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Ramapo College of New Jersey and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Fordham University. Julianne created a comprehensive transformational date coaching program From First Date to Soulmate™ that has helped hundreds of women find love. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in helping women heal from a heartbreak and create healthy long-term relationships. Julianne Cantarella is a Dating Coach, Certified Life Coach, Licensed Social Worker, and the CEO and President of New Jersey's Matchmaker. This article was co-authored by Julianne Cantarella and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |