When you are in a relationship and travelling, you will find that you have a whole host of new worries, thoughts, and feelings to juggle. Any relationship will have its fair share of ups and downs when you are together in one place. However, a relationship that is maintained over a long distance or during long-term travel can be stressful – even if this is not the aim. I can attest to both as first I had a long distance relationship for 5 months and than we decided to travel together on a 6 month trip.
With planning, preparation, and effort from both parties, you will find that you can sustain and maintain relationships, even if you are in different time zones or continents. Taking the following five tips on board will help you and your partner make the best out of this situation and keep your relationship strong. Hopefully, it will also help you build a strong and positive future together.
1. Stay in Regular Contact – Communication is Key
One of the biggest issues in any relationship is communication. This can be seen in many ways, from poor communication to miscommunication or lack of communication. To maintain relationships, you are going to have to work on your communication and listening skills. Regular contact with a partner or loved one is essential, and it will have to be planned to make the most of it.
If regular contact is not sustained over the weeks and months, you will find that a partner will feel undervalued and not respected. This can cause a downward spiral in any relationship; of course, this is not what you want. Being able to honestly and openly communicate with your loved one is crucial. If you are holding anything back when communicating or acting distant when communicating, it can open up more trouble.
2. Work Through Any Issues You Have
Every relationship has its rocky patches and faces issues. When these happen when you are traveling, they can feel extra stressful. Experiencing problems and being aware of them is important. When you are aware and conscious of what is going on in your relationship, you still have time to act. You may know that abandonment issues or trust issues can be difficult to start talking about and acting upon.
However, the sooner a dialogue is opened, the easier things will get. Getting to the root cause of any issues you have with each other may be more complex when you are not in the same room. However, this does not mean you should give up. Online sessions with a counselor or therapist can help you feel more confident in your approach rather than you trying to tackle everything by yourself/or as an individual.
3. Make Future Plans and Stick to Them
When you are travelling long-term, your partner is going to need some reassurance for the future. They (and you) are going to need some plans to work towards and look forward to. These plans may include you being closer to them or even travelling together. No matter how small the plans feel, it is important to set them (and stick to them). When those in a relationship have something to work towards, such as a shared vision, you will find things easier. Being open about what you want in the future and asking your partner what they want will be the first step you need to take.
How you begin the conversation about plans will depend on the current position you and your partner are in. If the relationship is relatively new while travelling, you will want to slow and steady things. However, if you have been together a few years, it may be time to start having commitment conversations (if you have not done so already). Whatever your plans look like together as a couple, it is important to start talking about them in a positive and non-forceful way. This way, your conversations will be productive and positive and not stressful.
4. Try and Be Spontaneous
Even though planning and forward-thinking are important in a relationship, there will be times when you need a bit of spontaneity. Spontaneity can help to keep a relationship fresh and help to keep your partner on their toes, especially if you are visiting them as a surprise or even planning a trip together as a surprise. You will find it challenging if you are not a spontaneous person. However, you must be persistent in getting the best results.
Even if you ditch the routine, you are both in for a surprise weekend away. It will add a new element of fun to your relationship. This is what all relationships need. If there is no spontaneity, things will soon feel a little stale and tedious, and this is when other problems or issues can begin to creep into your relationship.
5. Focus on Yourself
Even though it is important to focus on your partner in a relationship, you must not forget to focus on yourself. Your self-care and well-being will rank as high on your relationship scale as your partners. If you are not happy with yourself or what you are doing, this will eventually seep into your relationship. It is important to remember that you are not selfish in filing your own needs and requirements in a relationship. When you are happy, you can start focusing your attention and time on your partner.
Even though you may be happiest or more content with your partner, removing some of this pressure from them and yourself is important. Travelling can add an extra layer of burden to the relationship, which is not what you need or want. To focus on yourself, you may need to start practising a new self-care routine, or you may wish to start taking more time for yourself to take up a new hobby or interest. When you feel more fulfilled and content within yourself, you will think differently and approach your relationship differently, too – and this can be a positive thing for both of you.
