Transitioning from long distance to close distance…

People who have had a long distance relationship and then end up together with their partner after all of that time apart go through some difficult transitions. As we have discussed, long distance relationships are a different type of relationship and when a couple gets comfortable with that, it may end up as a shock when the couple is together all the time.

What do you believe is the most difficult thing about going from long distance love to short distance? How can a couple make the transition easier?

I’ve never actually have a long-distance love become close-distance, but I do know that I’ve come close a few times. The problems that came up were very different:

One, we found that the times we were physically close were great - weekends, even a week’s vacation once. But after that idyllic time, going back to the simple tools of emails and phone calls seemed very drab in comparison - as did our homes apart.

Two, we also found that little rituals - like getting ready for bed, or waking up - were just different enough to be annoying. One of us likes coffee, the other likes sleeping in. One likes to read before bed, the other likes watching TV. One sleeps with a cat, the other can’t stand having the door open… you see what I mean?

As I said, I’ve never found the solution to these minor difficulties, and they weren’t the reason why - but if I found myself in that situation again I would try to find ways to mitigate that process.

I am not agree with all of you because i had also a long distant relationship since 2 years.We were very eager for our face to face talking.At last our dream comes true and when we meet each other we found that as we have thought both of us are same.From that day we are still dating and enjoying every little moment of our love life.For making healthy relationship in distant relation we should not aspect more from other end that she/he will be so and so…...First understand what she/he likes ,what is his/her feeling and many more things.

Hi Emburey,

Welcome to the forum. Thank you for sharing your experience with your long distance relationship. I’m glad that it’s working out for you and I agree with you about really knowing the person you are with can help with the transition.

I think a hard part moving from long distance to no distance is giving up the thrill of seeing each other, the anticipation factor. When two people live in the same place and can see each other often there is an adjustment. One of those is giving up some of the excitement that comes with having a long distance relationship.

I think missing your partner can do great things for your relationship. While it’s hard when you are away from each, it does make you appreciate the person when you get to be together again.

I have fallen into a long-distance dating relationship, and one way we are making the “together” times more exciting is that we are separately taking tango classes in our hometowns. That way we share a common interest, we have new variations to share with each other when we do get together, and we spend a good couple of hours a week doing an activity that heightens the “Wait til I get to show them this!” factor.

It’s working rather well, much to my surprise.