Relationships are hard work. Sure, love is wonderful, and being in love lifts you to a place where all of the bad things in life appear miniscule in comparison to the love you’ve found. Love can overcome all obstacles — for the first month, at least. After that, you realize you don’t like the way he eats, or you don’t like the shows she watches, or you hate his parents. Then, love begins to lose its luster.
Now, the relationship becomes difficult. Maybe you work through those problems because you realize that despite those things, you really want to be with this person. But what if one of you has to move away to college? You may decide to continue by agreeing to commit to a long distance relationship, believing that this absence will bring you closer, but this is unlikely.
In college you will meet dozens of new people who come from different, exciting places with grand aspirations and similar interests. You will be busy studying, working, partying, building friendships, planning adventures, reading, going to concerts, watching movies, staying out late, staying in late, doing more studying, partying more and reading more. You will experience the height of ecstasy while you live life to the fullest and push yourself to learn, grow and become the person whom you want to be.
You will not have the time, or the desire, to call, check in, IM or iChat your significant other. You’ll be bored by the conversation, and perhaps, frustrated that you wish you could see this person but can’t. You’ll be resentful about feeling sad when you should be having the time of your life in college. You’ll call less, miss webcam dates, and stay signed-off of your Facebook. You’ll realize that it’s not working out and you’ll end the relationship.
It’s not your fault. Long-distance relationships are difficult. Let’s ask the divorcing celebrities who are away from each other for extended periods of time. The sea is too large and there are too many fish in it to be swimming apart from your mate, who is on the other side of the ocean.
It’s not rocket science. If you want a long-distance relationship, get ready to work very hard at it and know that the odds are against you. That doesn’t mean that it’s impossible. However, if you don’t think it’s worth the trouble, just don’t do it.
