Do long distance relationships really work?

Do long distance relationships really work? This question has been asked for many years and no one really seems to know the definitive answer. Some will tell you that long distance relationships never work out, while others will say they are possible. The answer really depends on the couple and how hard they are willing to work at making their relationship last despite any amount of distance between them. So, how do you know if your relationship will pass the test and survive the distance?

Physical Pitfalls
The number one reason why long distance relationships don’t work out is because of the loneliness that comes along with distance. Not only will you be lonely physically, but emotionally, intimately and financially as well. Combined with the loneliness, communication between couples can begin to suffer as anger and resentment begin to develop from the distance. Not to mention, your sexual relationship with your partner is going to be very difficult. But, you can overcome the physical and emotional pitfalls of long distance relationships if you’re open with your partner. Despite the distance, communication is key to a successful long distance relationship. And, you can keep the intimacy with a little creativity.

Trust and Temptation
Other top causes of a failed long distance relationship are trust and temptation. If there’s no trust in your relationship in the first place, don’t even attempt a long distance relationship. While your partner is away, it’s very easy to be tempted by other potential relationships. Many wonder what they are missing out on by committing to a long distance relationship. To overcome this, you need to remain open and honest with your partner. Any secrecy will damage the trust you have with one another and you’re likely to give into temptation. You can’t avoid temptation altogether when in a long distance relationship, but you can learn to deal with it by being open with your partner.

Romance
Even with miles and miles between you, you need to keep the romance in your relationship alive to keep it thriving. If the romance dies, so will your relationship. Yes, it can be hard, but you can keep the romance alive with simple little surprises, such as a handwritten letter or an unexpected visit. By taking the time to reach out to your partner to show them just how much they mean to you, it will get you both through the tough times of not seeing each other.

Distance doesn’t have to be a relationship killer. Your relationship can survive but it won’t be easy. You both need to be committed to each other and to making your relationship work. If your relationship does survive the miles between you, you’ll have a stronger and happier relationship after you’re finally together-- making all of the hard work you put into the relationship worth it in the end.

Venting. #CysticFibrosisProbz

Sometimes Cystic Fibrosis is really hard because people can't always look at you and "tell" that you're sick when you are. And you don't exactly want to say "I'm sick" because then that means they have to stop what they're doing, be alarmed, and take care of you. And sometimes they can't. Like at 3 in the morning when you can't breathe because there's so much mucus weighing down on your lungs and every breath just feels like you're breathing through a straw...and when that happens, a CF patient needs chest therapy...which could come in all sorts of ways. One of those ways being having someone "beat" on your back. That doesn't sound like a big deal but let me explain to you how badly it hurts. It's effective, but it hurts. You spend so much time coughing and when you cough fast, your lungs expand really fast and hit your ribs. It's almost like your lungs just punch your ribs. They're fighting each other for room. Imagine someone literally pounding on your back to loosen mucus so you can cough it up just to be able to breathe a little better. Only to feel all junky again the very same day. At 3 in the morning I can't just wake someone up and ask them to beat on my back so I can breathe...so instead I just lay here feeling helpless and frustrated, crying. No one really understands Cystic Fibrosis unless they actually have it. And you can't really get close to someone that has it. It's socially painful. Two people with CF aren't allowed to hangout because they can cross infect each other and kill each other. Plus it's really hard getting close to someone and then losing them. It happens too much. So really we have each other but it's not like we get to actually hangout. We're stuck on opposite computer and phone screens feeling this deep and emotional connection with someone we'll never be able to meet because simply shaking their hand could kill you. It's hard to open up to people about it because it's a hard thing to imagine. People think that just because a person looks fine on the outside that they're fine on the inside too but that's not true at all. My insides are screaming. I just want to be able to breathe normal. I've NEVER breathed "normal"...and I just want that so badly. I just want there to be a cure found. I don't want people worrying about me nonstop, that's not what I'm saying. I just wish I could make people understand that sometimes if the only thing I do in one day is breathe, that's okay...and that's a miracle within itself. I wish I didn't feel like such a burden on people I love and care about. I wish I didn't feel like such a nuisance. I wish I didn't get sick EVERY SINGLE WINTER and have to spend weeks in the hospital with a picc line in my arm. I wish I didn't have to feel guilty for complaining. I very seldom do. I have the right to complain every now and then.  I don't want to be felt sorry for. I want to be understood.