A long distance relationship can be extremely difficult, whether it's being apart from your best friend, your sibling, or your significant other. To make matters worse, there are two different, contradictory sayings: "Absence makes the heart grow fonder," and "Out of sight, out of mind."
So which is it really? It honestly depends more on your relationship to start. In order to have a truly stable and worthwhile long distance relationship, you need to begin with an open and trusting one with someone who is understanding and relatively good at communication. And let's be real; although technology is great to stay in touch, it can lead to some awful misunderstandings.
Much like the steps of the grieving process, there is an array of feelings one may experience when departing from a loved one:
1. Positive attitude
This is when you are just starting out, thinking, "Wow, this really won't be too bad." You even think that maybe the longer you're apart, the more amazing it will be when you get back together again.
2. Worry
As the time approaches for you to go your separate ways, worry creeps into your mind, and you start to get sad and nervous, making it difficult to enjoy your final days together.
3. Planning
You start to plan out Skype dates and call dates and even physical trips to see each other, easing some of your worry and causing a spike in excitement.
4. Missing
You've been apart for a while, and you begin to miss them. Skype, texting, and phone calls aren't quite the same as being able to see them in person and hug them.
5. Longing
You begin to wish you could hear their laughter and feel the comfort of being around them again. You even dream about being near them.
6. Excitement
You realize that you aren't apart forever and you start to get excited again to see them, texting them constantly and being overly mushy about your relationship/friendship. There is also often a rise in Facebook or Instagram posts at this time.
7. Contentment
Finally together again. Nothing has changed, and you are just happy to finally have your person back in the flesh so you can continue being weird together. After all, who else can you completely speak your mind with?
