Long distance relationships are hard for the people involved within them, especially when we get such scrutiny for being in them. Our relationships are regarded as not real by the general populace just because we might not get to see or touch our significant other every night and take small things like that for granted like they do.
There are many downsides to a long distance relationship, but there are also many good factors.
One of the worst things about long distance relationships is the constant need and want for the person you are in a long distance relationship with. It doesn't matter where you are or what you're doing. You could be in bed at 3:00am in the morning and all of a sudden you wonder what it would be like to have them there with you. This overwhelming need for their closeness washes over you and you can't do anything about it. It could even be at 1:00pm when you're out for lunch with friends and you see a young couple hand in hand at the table beside you, eating dinner and exchanging looks and small gestures of affection, and all of a sudden you feel the overwhelming jealousy and resentment, because they have that and you don't. They take for granted what you want most. Your partners physical closeness.
The frustration in long distance relationships is also an issue. Frustration with your significant other. Frustration with yourself. Frustration with friends. Frustration with everyone around you. You end up lashing out at people because you can't deal with your feelings. You doubt yourself. Other's doubt you. You have moments of despairing hope where you think that your relationship won't work out. Everyone and everything seem to be against you increasing your frustration. Parents don't approve. Friends don't approve. You get told your relationship isn't real. Like people have a right to tell you how you feel. Like other's have a right to dictate your life and your decisions and judge you for them.
Jealousy is another big factor, jealousy of the people who get to spend each day with them and take each moment for granted, jealousy when somebody tries to steal your significant other and you can't do anything about it because you may be cities, countries or even oceans apart.
Major trust issues, thinking that they may be doing something you don't want them to like cheating or flirting. Thinking that with all the temptation around, why would they want you, someone who lives just out of reach when they could have literally anyone they wanted back home. Questioning your very relationship because of the terrible voices in your head.
The arguments can be horrible because the only thing you can do to calm each other down is talk, and sometimes talking isn't always enough. Sometimes you just need and crave the physical comfort of someone, sometimes you need the actions rather than just the words but in a long distance relationship words are really all you have to go on.
The price of travelling is a lot to consider, especially if your relationship is in different countries or across seas. It's not something that can be taken likely as the price of flights, fuel and other things is often more than most people can afford.
Being in a long distance relationship also poses problems with communication, you can't hear the persons voice sometimes, can't see their facial expression or their body language and much of the talking you do must have a dependency on technology that can make some uncomfortable.
By far for me though, the worst thing is just the need to have them there. Wishing and hoping that they were there when you're sad or when you're happy or when you just want them there for no reason. There is such a dependency on that person and yet at the same time you know you can't be too dependent because the person you love is too far for you to be dependent on them, and you can't lose yourself in wanting to be with them so badly. You have to retain your own identity. And on the flip side you can't push away or keep them too far because they you grow apart, and that isn't what you want.
The lack of physical interaction can make these relationships hard. But in the end it's worth it to be with the one you love.
