I’m curious what experiences others have had. My girlfriend and I have been in a distance relationship for a number of years. Although it was far from ideal, we managed to see each other a decent amount and looked forward to the day our situation would change. Unfortunately, recent circumstances (busy new job on her part, sickness in the family and return to school on my part) have made it very difficult to see each other. It is not clear when these issues could be resolved, although it is certain not to happen in the very near future.
We still get along very well over the phone, but this is far from a satisfying relationship for either of us. Something has to change, certainly.
My question is: is it possible to change a relationship that has always been exclusive without simply breaking up, cutting off contact, and moving on with our lives? Can a relationship be opened up to the possibility of seeing other people without destroying the original relationship?
I ask for other’s experiences because I have not been in this situation before.
I know a couple that tried that. The arrangement fell apart when the girlfriend slept with a new guy who she liked enough to leave the boyfriend for.
Based on that, I would say that this is typically just prolonging the inevitable breakup unless both people in the relationship actually are polyamorous by nature.
I am engaged to my long distance love, so I know these relationships can work out…but in our case, things worked out because my fiance was willing to relocate for me.
If this distance has been a problem for YEARS and there still is no end in sight, nobody’s willing/able to move and probably won’t for the forseeable future, then I wouldn’t blame you for wanting to look elsewhere. However, I think the most realistic good outcome is to try to have a civil breakup and stay friends.