The wonders of dating someone with wanderlust! It’s not impossible, but here are things to remember when dating someone who goes on frequent trips.
These days, it’s unheard of to say no to a financial opportunity. If work requires a person to jet-set all over the world, they usually say yes. That type of work usually pays more and gives you the chance to save and build a secure future for you and your family.
What to expect when you date someone who travels a lot
When you decide to date one whose priorities require them to keep working in that situation, you have to make some adjustments. They can consist of the choice of where you’re going to live, how you’re going to handle your schedules and what your plans are for the future.
You have to discuss these things before committing to this type of relationship. If you’re already together, and the opportunity presents itself, you both have to consider each other’s needs and whether you are willing to compromise.
It can be difficult for people who just started dating, but it’s the same if you’ve been together for a long time. Being in a relationship with someone who travels a lot can take its toll on a couple. You need to be strong enough and smart enough to handle whatever comes your way. In order for you to do that, we’ve compiled a list of the pros and cons when you’re dating a frequent flier.
Pros
#1 Souvenirs. This is just a concession for all the hardships that you will need to endure, but it doesn’t hurt to have a keychain of a national animal or at least a Starbucks mug from a different country. You have to appreciate the little things that your situation has to offer, in order for you to learn to love the best parts of your relationship as well.
#2 Frequent flier miles. Free plane tickets are the best travel freebies. Do you have any idea how expensive they are these days? You can’t even fly 500 miles without putting a dent in your savings. Be thankful that your partner travels, because it just means that you now have the opportunity to travel with them for free!
#3 Missing them. When your partner always travels, you start to appreciate the moments that you have together. It helps you build a stronger foundation for your relationship and it keeps you on your toes. Every homecoming will seem like the best day of your life, and every second you spend together will be more special than the last.
#4 Stories. You can get all the information and entertainment you want from the TV and the internet, but nothing beats a good conversation with your partner about the adventures they experienced. Even if it’s just a mundane trip, you still get a chance to talk to your partner, because they’re itching to tell you everything about their trip and how much they missed you.
#5 Experiences. Your partner’s trips are a chance for both of you to experience new things. Even if you’re not together, you can grow from your separate experiences and teach each other new things along the way.
#6 Instant tour guide. Don’t be jealous of your partner, just because they’re always traveling. Think of it as a reconnaissance mission for your next romantic trip together. The best part is that your partner has done the necessary research and already knows how things work over there. [Read: Is it too soon to start travelling together?]
#7 Time for yourself. Don’t think of your partner’s travels as time away from each other. Think of it as an opportunity to do things that you wouldn’t normally do with your partner. Rather than spend one day a week watching a game with your friends, you can now watch Sunday night football and Monday night football. You can do a weekend spa treatment and still go to the club with the girls. It all depends on how you play your cards, while your partner’s away. Just make sure that you’re not doing anything wrong and stupid.
Cons
#1 Missing them. The downside to being away from your partner is that when they’re not there yet, you sometimes feel lonely and miserable. You know they’re coming back, but you can’t help but pine for them anyway. It’s better if you find ways to distract yourself, rather than focus on the fact that they’re not there. Being sad for long periods cannot be good for you. Go out with your friends. Buy something for yourself. Or just call your partner, you doofus! [Read: Does absence make the heart grow fonder or wander?]
#2 Miscommunication. When someone travels a lot, it leaves a lot of room for misunderstandings. Because of the lack of time to hash things out, relationship issues can get out of hand. Even if you can call or text each other, time differences and missed connections can still contribute to a lot of confusion. [Read: 7 signs you’re not being heard in your relationship]
#3 Lack of intimacy. Being apart can take its toll on your closeness. There’s still something about being able to touch the person you love that overshadows any other form of intimacy. When two people fail to meet each other’s primal needs on a regular basis, it creates a ton of friction that cannot be solved through phone calls and texts.
#4 Time difference. This can be a big issue when it comes to communication. Trying to constantly communicate with each other is a problem, especially when your work schedules are involved. You get exhausted and you get irritated. It doesn’t guarantee a pair of welcome arms when the business trip is finally over.
#5 Infidelity. Having too much space can also mean that there’s a missing piece in your life. If a person can’t handle the pressure of a partner who constantly travels, there is a possibility that they might cheat. There’s even a chance that the partner who travels will cheat. [Read: The 3 big reasons men cheat]
#6 Too much time for yourself. After you’ve taken care of yourself while your partner’s away, you might still have a few days or weeks of alone time on your hands. Freedom can be exhilarating sometimes, but there will come a point when you won’t know what to do with yourself, if you’re dependent on your partner’s presence. [Read: 7 powerful ways to break out of loneliness]
#7 Difficulty in planning. If traveling is always on your partner’s agenda, it’s going to be very difficult to make concrete plans. Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and other events will need to be put on hold because of your partner’s work schedule. Sometimes the only gift you’ll get could be a Skype call on your birthday.
#8 Exhaustion. Traveling can take its toll on your partner. If they do this a lot, then it goes without saying that they will always be tired. Exhaustion can put a strain on your quality time together, your duties at home and even your sex life. [Read: 16 signs you’re settling in an unhappy relationship ]
Now that you have an idea about what you’re in for when dating a person who travels a lot, you can at least make an unbiased decision about your situation. If you’re already in a relationship like that, you need to understand that you can’t simply shackle your partner to your side for the sake of convenience.
