LDRs come with several challenges, but having difficult times is yesterday’s news for most long-distance couples – and frankly, it’s rarely a reason to end things.
Has the relationship run its course, or do you just need a break in your LDR?
Even though it might sound like a bad idea, here is what taking a break in your LDR will involve…
Signs it is time to take a break in your LDR
First of all, taking a break doesn’t mean breaking up. It is just a time during which you and your partner agree to give each other some space, so you can reflect and take time to figure things out about your relationship.
However, you need to be prepared for the consequences before suggesting a relationship time-out, as it can lead to calling it quits for good.
Here are the signs When To Call It Quits In A Long-Distance Relationship.
If you are not sure whether your LDR needs a break, here are five signs it does.
You Don’t See Eye To Eye About Major Decisions And Issues
The more serious the relationship grows, the more you will have to work on resolving important problems and questions. Unfortunately, some of these fundamental issues are hard, or even impossible, to resolve.
If you and your LDR partner can’t find a middle ground when it comes to major decisions, maybe it’s time to take some time off from one another and take a better look at your relationship.
Is this something you can compromise on, or is it a dealbreaker? Taking a break in your LDR will let you understand if this relationship is worth fighting for.
You’re Walking on Eggshells
Are you worried to go to your partner with a problem? Do you feel like every little issue has the potential to turn into a LDR fight?
Maybe you want to know how to stop arguing in a long distance relationship?
Being extremely cautious with your actions and word choice around a significant other is a major red flag in any relationship. When things escalate in a split second, you start questioning yourself and the choices you’ve been making every time you express your feelings.
Walking on eggshells can cause a buildup of suppressed anger which often leads to resentment. And the moment you start resenting your partner, you are stepping into the dangerous territory of toxic relationships.
Taking a break can help you clear your mind and decide if this long-distance relationship is good for your emotional and mental health.
Jealousy Is Preventing You From Living Your Life
The trick with long-distance relationships is that it takes rock-solid trust for them to truly work. The distance can push jealousy and doubt to another level, which creates an even bigger gap between the partners – one far more painful than the miles separating them.
If one or both of the partners struggles with trusting one another with what they are doing at all times or who they are spending time with, a break can be of great help. It will give them time and space to face their insecurities and work on them privately.
Your Sexual Attraction Is Flatlining
Being in an LDR sucks when it comes to physical intimacy. However, you can drop all the excuses right away because living in the age of modern technology was a game-changer for long-distance couples.
Now, if despite all this ‘virtual’ help, you still find it hard to keep the spark alive, distance, probably, isn’t the only problem you have.
From stress to medical conditions, there can be tons of reasons why your sexual drive is failing you. But, if you can’t tell why you feel less and less attracted to your partner, a break can help you understand if this is just a phase or if you are not that into each other.
You Doubt The Future Of Your Relationship
People in an LDR usually resort to a relationship time-out when they question the future of their union.
What’s the point in building a strong long-distance relationship if you don’t see a future together, right? This lack of vision is often what kills an LDR.
If you are second-guessing your relationship, taking a break can help you in many ways. Spending some alone time can clear your thoughts, help you understand if you truly miss your partner, and even dip your toes in the water and see if there is something better for you out there.
Is it okay to take a break in your LDR?
It’s usually an emergency measure suggested by one or both partners when the emotional and mental pressure is too hard to handle.
It’s never an easy decision to make, but sometimes it’s necessary if your relationship is on the rocks. You will need to find a nice way to bring it up to your LDR partner to make it as painless as possible.
It’s also a good idea to set rules like whether you are allowed to see other people while taking a break and the actual date this break will end on.
What are the benefits of taking a break?
Once you have both agreed to take the break, it’s time for you to figure things out.
If you want to benefit from this time-out, shift your focus from your partner onto yourself. Think about what you want from life and love and whether this relationship has the potential to live up to it.
Go out, start flirting with other people – it will help you figure out if you want to be single again or truly miss your LDR partner. Maybe you’ll finally see the signs of true love in your long distance relationship.
Time is your best friend when it comes to figuring things out. Just give it a chance, and it will show you all the signs you need to see.
How to cope during the break?
Think about the future of your relationship but also think about your future. It’s never healthy to be in a relationship just because you are comfortable or afraid of change.
Here is what you can do when you miss your boyfriend in a LDR.
Take your time, and don’t jump to conclusions. It’s important to keep a positive attitude. A break isn’t necessarily a death sentence for your long-distance relationship.
Trust the process. Everything will fall into place when the time is right.
