The Pros and Cons of a Long Distance Relationship

February 14th 2018

*Spoiler Alert* A con is spending Valentine’s Day alone sometimes…

To be honest, I could have written some sappy lovey dovey post for Valentine’s day today or a get ready with me or something like that, but I felt like keeping it lowkey because:

1. I’m working on Valentine’s Day so I am not doing much in the way of having a super Valentine’s Day.
2. My boyfriend lives far away so I don’t get to see him at all today

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not gonna sit at home and cry about this because there is no point in doing so because I’ll see him this weekend and Valentine’s Day is just an excuse to get gifts and go out for food. Instead, I decided to write a post about being in a long distance relationship and my pros and cons. I feel like this is a great discussion topic for anyone out there who can relate or is debating on whether or not they want a part time relationship.

Pro #1: Every time you see each other is special!

My boyfriend only lives about an hour and 45 minutes away which is definitely a small trip compared to other people out there, I can guarantee. However, I can’t see him at all during the week because of work and I only usually get to see him one day of my weekend because we both have lives and don’t want to ditch our friends every weekend to be solely with each other. This is okay by me though because I get super excited to see him and we usually have plans instead of wasting a day sitting around.

Although we enjoy our fair share of bum days, we try to use our time to its fullest. It has been said that distance makes the heart grow fonder!

Con #1: You have to block out time.

What I mean by this is that, I have friends who can see their boyfriend for breakfast then go on with their day doing what they need to get done done and seeing friends and stuff. I don’t get that. I don’t get date nights. I get all day dates where I only see him. Which isn’t a con in that sense but it is a con because something I would just like someone to go out to dinner with without having to dedicate a full day to him. Plus weekdays are nearly impossible so I always have to take out of my weekend.

Pro #2: You really develop your independence

In one of my earlier relationships, I dated a boy who lived about 7 minutes driving distance from my house. It was great and I saw him all the time….but the down side was I saw him ALL THE TIME. I never saw any of my friends because I funneled all of myself into this relationship.

After we broke up, I discovered how toxic and unhealthy living for your relationship is and distance was something that has really made me realize that even more. I have grown so much more as a person by having space from my boyfriend. Neither of us are dependent on each other for happiness, we just enjoy being around each other which is how it should be.

Con #2: Sometimes you have to spend holidays alone

Sometimes I get a little bummed that I don’t get to see my Valentine. I don’t mind waiting until the weekend but seeing the couples on Instagram looking all cute and dressed up for a dinner together while I’m at home sending my boyfriend ugly Snapchats can feel a bit lonely. I like to get myself out of the house to distract myself and treat couple holidays like they are any other day. I know there will be years that I won’t see him on my birthday or birthday but it is something we have learned to live with!

Pro #3: You get to explore a new place whenever you’re with them!

My boyfriend lives by the Jersey Shore and I love exploring. There are tons of big and little beaches, Pier Village, cute restaurants, and a lot more. I also love that he gets to show me the places by him that make him happy. And it is just as fun for me to do the same when he is over. Being in a long distance relationship allows you to be a tourist in your own town for a bit and show the one you love the best parts. And if your significant other was originally from your town, then they get to enjoy coming back and visiting!

~~~

I honestly couldn’t even think of a 3rd con. I personally love long distance relationships because besides having tons of independence and cherishing the time you have together when you get it, another amazing thing is knowing that if your love is real, the distance will end one day! So although I am spending this Valentine’s Day alone, I can check this off as one more Valentine’s Day closer to my boyfriend and I possibly being able to spend every Valentine’s Day together!

Are you in a long distance relationship or thinking about getting into one? Leave a comment below, I would love to chat!

Jess~