Have you taken the traveling test with your partner? Here's why you should

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Traveling with your better half, especially before you tie the knot, can be exciting, as the thought of spending alone, quality time with him/her is enough to get butterflies in your stomach.

However, as much as it is exciting, traveling with someone for the first time can be a tricky affair as well, and can really test your relationship, vis-à-vis different travel styles, food choices, itinerary, and comfort.

Let’s dig deeper…

How traveling together can be a test for your relationship

Knowing anyone beyond their comfortable living situation in the city can be both fun, and intimidating, especially if you and your partner do not live together, and only meet a couple of times each week.

Traveling together can bring out the potential areas of concern in your relationship, such as differences in planning styles, financial disagreements, or varying levels of patience. For instance:

Different travel goals: One person might prefer structured itineraries, while the other enjoys spontaneity. (tourist vs traveler) These differences can lead to frustration if not managed.

Financial spending: Traveling can be expensive, and disagreements about spending can arise, especially if not discussed beforehand.

Living arrangement/food choices: If you and your partner are sharing a room together, difference might arise in terms of sleeping arrangement, AC temperatures, bathroom rules etc. You might also prefer different cuisines of food, that can get tricky to manage on a vacation.

On the other hand, despite some hiccups, traveling together offers many benefits for your relationship.

These include:

1. Build trust amongst each other

Traveling forces you to rely on each other, that in turn, promotes trust and improves communication between the two of you. You learn to navigate challenges together in a city unknown to both of you, which strengthens your bond.

2. Helps you both become more adaptable

Travel often involves unexpected situations, such as rains, flat tires, phone batteries runing out, or the worst – falling sick on a vacation! These issues, though seemingly minor, teach you to be flexible and adapt to new circumstances. This flexibility can translate into other areas of your relationship.

3. Creates lifetime memories

The experiences you have while traveling, create lasting memories that can bring you closer together. Sharing these moments can deepen your emotional connection, and set you for a lifetime of future.

4. Brings you closer

Traveling can provide opportunities for quality time together, away from daily distractions, work, and home stress. This can reignite romance and intimacy in your relationship.

5. Helps you both grow

Traveling exposes you to new cultures, experiences and people, which can lead to personal growth. As you grow individually, your relationship can also evolve and become more fulfilling.

To ensure that your travels strengthen your relationship rather than strain it, consider these tips:

Plan together: Involve both partners in planning to ensure you’re both on the same page. Zero in a location you both agree on, and decide beforehand how you would like to split the cost when you reach there.

Set realistic expectations: Understand that things won’t always go as planned, and be prepared for unexpected challenges. The fun lies in navigating these challenges together.

Communicate openly: Discuss your feelings and concerns openly to avoid misunderstandings.

Make time for each other: Amidst sightseeing, prioritize quality time together. This is the reason you are traveling in the first place, remember?