We all know the cliche reasons why relationships fail. They’re the subject of so many romantic movies how could we forget? The girl fell for another guy and left her partner. The inconsiderate husband cheated on his wife. These are all common reasons why relationships fail, but what happens when that couple takes their love on the road?
Whether you’re currently in a relationship or you plan to enter one soon, traveling with your partner is a big, important step. In fact, most experts claim it’s essential you travel with your partner to make sure you’re a good fit for the long haul of life.
Traveling with someone exposes all of their different sides. You really experience someone’s true colors when you’re both stranded at an airport in a strange place, you’re lost for the first time, or things simply don’t go your way. Here are the reasons why relationships fail while traveling.
1. The Spark Dies
We all hear about that famous spark, the butterflies in your stomach, that are a sign of a thriving relationship. What happens when those sparks fade? It’s a tale as old as time. Things start great at first, and then over time couples drift apart.
When you’re traveling, it’s not always easy to connect as a couple. This can be a sign that you’re either not a good long-term match, or maybe it’s time to invest more in your relationship. It’s important to connect in the bedroom, but don’t stop here. Find new ways to connect with each other when traveling, whether that means don’t things you both enjoy or even going on dates.
2. Too Compatible
It sounds crazy, but there is such thing as being too good of a match. Have you ever heard the phrase “opposites attract?” Well, it’s true. While it’s always good to have a like-minded partner you get along with, you also need to challenge each other in new ways, especially while traveling.
When you travel, you want to broaden your mind. If your partner never wants to try anything different than you, what’s the point of traveling with someone else in the first place? You could have just come alone.
3. Too Much Passion
That’s right, too much of anything can get in the way of a real relationship. Having too much passion in the bedroom is a great thing in moderation. You want to connect with your partner on an intimate level. However, excessive sex and intimacy when traveling mask more serious problems.
If you turn to sex as a way to solve problems, you might realize you don’t have much of a mature relationship at all. When you travel, things will go wrong. In fact, that’s one of the most common aspects of traveling. Your passion won’t get you very far when you’re both tired and cranky at the end of a long day exploring.
4. Poor Communication
We all know that communication problems spell disaster in relationships. Sometimes, it’s hard to spot when communication lines aren’t open. If you feel like you and your partner “never argue,” that might be a sign your relationship is failing. It’s impossible to avoid 100% of arguments, especially when you’re spending a lot of time together.
When you travel, you’re going to have arguments. If you can’t get through these over the small things like where to go for breakfast or what tour to take next, odds are your relationship isn’t going to survive back home either.
5. Attachment Problems
Attachment is a real problem for many people. One severe type of attachment is known as Anxious-Preoccupation, and it leads to trouble in relationships. If you or your partner are unable to face any level of separation from each other when you’re on the road, this isn’t as cute as it seems in the movies.
While romantic dramas make it seem like any devotion of this nature is appealing, it’s toxic in real life. When you’re traveling, you’re together 24/7. You share the same cramped hotel room, you do the same activities, and it’s hard to find your own alone time. If you find you or your partner is unwilling to separate at all during your trip, this isn’t a good sign.
6. Crisis Situations
Sometimes, things go really wrong when traveling. In mild situations, you might find yourself the victim of a scam or with a missed flight. For more serious problems, it can be a downright catastrophe. You might be stuck in a scary situation or lost in an unfamiliar place with no way to get back to your hotel.
These crisis situations often bring out the worst in people. This is when you learn how your partner reacts, and that realization might not be what you expect. If you discover your partner can’t handle any minor inconvenience and becomes downright hostile, this can end your relationship for good.
7. Lack of Responsibilities
One of the perks of traveling is being free of your responsibilities. You don’t have to worry about going to work or making sure your pet is fed on time. This is a great way to relieve stress, but it can also bring out the worst in some people.
You might discover your partner has no motivation when there’s no strict timeline. He or she might spend the day in bed or partying. A lack of responsibilities should mean more time to focus on each other, but that’s not always the case. While this trip might open your mind to 2 or 3 months of remote working in an exotic destination, your partner might not be up to that challenge.
8. Bad Habits
When you first start seeing someone, they can do no wrong. The way they laugh is quirky and endearing. Even the socks they leave all over their apartment are charming in a way. However, these bad habits start to make a bigger impact when traveling.
When you travel with your partner, it’s like you get to experience living with them. You share the same small space and see each other constantly. You might discover they never clean after themselves and they snore horribly. Either way, these could be dealbreakers and signs you don’t want to live with someone in the future.
9. Closed Minded
Travel is all about learning new things, experiencing new cultures, and meeting new people. For many, this is exciting and eye-opening. For others, not so much. Not everyone will see eye-to-eye on issues of culture. Your partner might not be open to the food, language, or other realities of travel. Depending on your own opinions, this could be insulting and a sign of a lack of maturity.
10. Money
Last but definitely not least, money gets in the way when you travel. It’s important to find a partner who is financially compatible. This doesn’t mean you’re doomed to marry someone in your same pay grade, but it does mean you should share values about money.
If you like to pinch pennies, you probably aren’t a good match for someone who would prefer to stay at a luxury resort than a budget hotel. The same goes for every aspect of travel, from activities to food. If you’re constantly butting heads (or wallets!) about how much to spend, this argument won’t magically go away back home.
As you can see, there are a number of unexpected reasons why couples break up when traveling. Truthfully, not all relationships are guaranteed to last. Traveling with your partner is liking taking your relationship for a test ride. The stakes are higher and you experience living with them. Now that you know what to look for, you can keep your heart safe while searching for that special someone.
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