Long Distance Relationships Don’t Work
Long distance dating. I’ll just say it — it’s a bad idea. I know this because I try it all of the time. Literally, EVERY relationship I’ve been in has had some period of distance.
Why do I keep making the same mistake over and over? The same reason you do: Because you think it will work the next time with this new and different person you like way more than the last person you tried this with. Yes, I know there are dozens of websites devoted to keeping your love going long distance, like the very cute lovingfromadistance.com. But still…
It will not work.
Do not keep trying this. Work on getting to know people you can actually see, face to face. Not face to screen. I’m telling this to you, and to myself, again because, well, because I need to hear it again. I know — long distance relationships seem very sexy. They start out feeling like you have the best of both worlds. You have your great life full of friends, work, happy hours, brunches, alone time; all of which you get to keep AND have someone sweet to talk to that you like, who likes you, that you can see on weekends or when it’s convenient.
This ends badly…
What will end up happening is this: everything will be great for about a month maybe two. All the conversations will be new and interesting, every text will seem super sweet because it just is, and it’s followed by a blushing, smiling emoticon. Every time you Skype, you’ll be so excited to see them. You won’t even have to talk; you’ll be content just sitting there smiling shy little smiles at each other. These Skype dates will be met with great anticipation. You’ll take them any hour of the day because it’ll have been too long since you last saw your sweetheart.
Then you’ll miss a call. The blushing smiling emoticons will become few and far between. Texts won’t be answered as quickly as they once were. And, Skype dates will become frustrating sessions where you realize you can’t actually touch the person you’re longing for. This will drive you crazy.
The fallacy…
Before a month-long departure (a brief departure, but a departure nonetheless), a guy I was dating once quoted (the over used) phrase, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” I responded, “Absence makes the eyes wander.”
Of course, this is just my experience I’m sharing with you and myself once again as a reminder. Because 98 percent of the time long distance does not work…. Until it does.
Article by Tiffany Williams, Flirty Editor
…more random thoughts on dating found here: @trwinc
Dating and Relationship Blogger, aka Flirty Editor, Tiffany, is a Washingtonian transplant from central Virginia. This small town girl shares her dating hits and misses with a dry sense of humor but with an open heart nonetheless. When she’s not dating she’s working with art. Follow her @trwinc.
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