We've all been there. We develop feelings for someone who is either at home or is at college, and then you have to leave them for an extended period of time. Whether or not the order is exact, everyone goes through these same stages.
1. Hopefulness.
At the early stages of a long distance relationship, it is common for the couple to feel a sense of hopefulness, with the thoughts that they are strong enough to go the metaphorical distance, with the physical distance between them.
2. Depression.
After about two days, you start to miss your significant other like crazy. Thus leading into a depression and an ultimate sadness and a hole in your heart that only your significant other can fill. So, you Skype, call or FaceTime each other incessantly, close enough to actually being there right?
3. Fear Of Missing Out.
After about a two weeks, you've both developed new friends and seeing the friendships progress makes you both feel like you're moving in separate directions, and growing closer to other people. The fear of missing out has kicked you both in the face, and you struggle to find a balance.
4. Doubt.
About a month or so in, you realize that there is a lot more to long distance relationship than you thought. It is way harder to do than previously thought, and it is putting some serious strain on your relationship.
5. Anxiety.
Anxiety hits when number four does, you get anxious that things may not work out, but maybe it will? What if it doesn't? Too many questions enter your mind, and there is no definitive answer for any of them.
6. Pressure.
The pressure of keeping the relationship, and both of your families expecting you to go the distance because they like who you are as a couple. The pressure that you associate with not letting the other person down, so much pressure.
7. Bewilderment.
You begin to learn things about your significant other that may or may not please you, and it brings on a whole new level of emotions none of which you particularly like.
8. Loneliness.
Please, as in please come see me. I miss you terribly.
9. Territorial.
Um, excuse me -- that human does not belong to you, that human is mine promptly leave them alone and find someone else to flirt with. The audacity!
10. Jealousy.
See this scar? And this one? I got it from fighting people who like to put their hands on my significant other. I am not afraid to fight you, I do not care if I sound crazy.
11. Loved.
The little things your partner does to ensure that you aren't crazy, that you just love them a whole lot. Little reassurances make the world of difference.
12. Trusting.
Without trust, there is no relationship. It is very crucial to have trust, and you discover how much you trust the other with distance and other factors which separate the two of you. However, you will always come back together because of the love you share.
13. Excitement.
Counting down the days until you can see each other, hours, minutes, seconds. You cannot wait to see them, you've been without each other for far too long.
14. Happy.
Happiness in knowing that you did survive this as a massive part in your relationship. Happiness in knowing that at the end of the day you still love each other, and your relationship is as strong as ever.
This article is dedicated to the two couples in my life who are constantly being tested by distance in their relationships. You got this!
