Travel is a great way to keep a long-term relationship alive, but it is also a vital part of a young relationship. In fact, traveling can be the perfect relationship test to show you how your significant other operates when you’re away from home and completely alone.
Once you’ve chosen your perfect travel destination, you should pay attention to every aspect of the planning and the trip itself. Every aspect of traveling is its own version of a relationship test and can tell you so much about your partner and your relationship.
Here are a few reasons why traveling with your partner is the most holistic relationship test.
1. Preview of Budgeting
Money is an important aspect of every relationship and actually ends up being the downfall of many. But, if you understand your partner’s spending habits and know how to deal with them, you can be prepared for how you are going to live your life with them if you are thinking long term.
When planning a trip, try to see what your partner chooses. Do they consistently push the budget on everything they can? During the trip, do they stick to the planned budget?
Traveling is also a good way to start a conversation about money and how much you will both contribute during the trip.
2. Developing Independence
During a trip, you will seemingly spend every moment exclusively with each other. This is an interesting test not only in how you operate together but also in how you find time apart. For example, will you give each other some moments of respite during a museum outing or while at a beach?
While you should definitely want to spend time together, individual time has proven to be very healthy. But, if your partner is demanding more time together or refuses to take some time alone, you may want to reconsider how much co-dependence you have developed.
3. No Bathroom Boundaries
On a lighter note, traveling together may also prove to be a huge milestone in that you may finally break bathroom boundaries. Odds are, you have always been quite discrete about the bathroom as you are not living together. But bathroom boundaries must be broken in those hotel rooms, and what better time than now?
This aspect of a relationship test is more light-hearted, but it will be interesting for you to see how organized your partner is. This can be a contentious point for many couples, so keeping clean in the bathroom is key.
4. Constantly Communicating
When you are consistently making decisions with one person each day, communicating will be key. From planning the trip to choosing a restaurant to picking an activity for the day, communication will be at the forefront throughout your trip.
You should make your best effort to understand your partner and how they communicate.
Do they constantly ignore your needs to fulfill their preferences? Do they never voice their opinion? Are you making all the decisions?
Paying attention to your partner communicating will teach you a lot about how you will communicate in the future.
5. Where Can You Compromise?
Compromising is a central aspect of traveling together. For example, there may be activities that you don’t agree on or times when you want to relax but your partner wants to stay out and be active.
Compromising and understanding your partner’s needs is important throughout the traveling process.
If your partner can not compromise for you during travel, this may be a sign of issues to come later on. At the same time, if you do not stand your ground at times, you may find it difficult to break this mold.
Learning how to compromise with your partner is the biggest thing that makes traveling a true relationship test.
6. Go Through Highs and Lows
Though you should plan for a good time, traveling can often also have highs and lows. There may be difficulties along the way, from rainy days when you want to go to the beach, to allergic reactions or hotel difficulties. It is important to see how you and your partner act during the tougher times of the trip.
Being vulnerable and going through the difficulties together can prove how you and your partner will react during real tough situations. Every relationship has stressful times from external events, so now is the time to discover how you will build each other up during these times.
7. Reactions are Telling
Travel can be a frustrating process.
Having to deal with some notoriously frustrating industries including the air, lodging, and tourism business, you will definitely have some rough outcomes. This is a great time to notice how your partner reacts to frustrating situations.
Do they take out their frustrations on you? Are they the type to make a scene and cause drama when you don’t want any? Or are they encouraged by your presence to find the best of a situation while standing up for themselves?
Reactions can be everything, and traveling is a great way to understand your partner’s reactions to different inconveniences.
8. Teaches You Teamwork
Relationships ultimately come down to teamwork and getting through adversity together. In both bad and good situations, working and communicating as a team will be the key to a successful relationship.
Will you and your partner work together in stressful times? Or will you have to make most of the effort and carry the weight? Understanding balance and fairness through travel is a great way to set up a solid foundation for your relationship.
What Makes Travel a Great Relationship Test
While traveling is supposed to be fun and stress-free, the more difficult times are what makes it a good relationship test. People often say that traveling is a microcosm of life itself, and traveling with your partner may be a microcosm of your life together.
Whether you’re a new couple or a long-term one, whether you’re young or more experienced, every couple can benefit from relationship advice. For the very best in that area, be sure to check out our other articles!
