What would it be like working at sea, and leaving your significant other at home? Do you wait until you get back home to rekindle that special bond, or do you replace that bond with another ‘special’ person who knows where? No need to replace someone or something you have because of distance and time. Managing a career and a long distance relationship while at sea is not rocket science, but it sure does take patience and commitment. There are three easy steps to having that one in a million – fairytale relationship everybody dreams of. Yup…go no further, they are right below.
The first step is being understanding. If your significant other knows your profession and what is required of you, there are certain things that they should expect and be supportive of. Your partner, while at sea, can’t always be in contact with you because of the nature of their job. You are probably always on your partner’s mind every second he gets to think about something that is not work-related but just cannot contact you. Your lover is probably being watched by the people superior to him/her, or has no phone signal, but his heart connecting with yours eases his frustrated mind.
The next step is effective communication. Once possible, reaching out to your partner is of paramount importance, and can make your day a magical one! Just hearing the voice, you have been yearning to hear for days, hours or possibly a week is just soothing to the soul. Not to get all mushy, but it is just the reality of it. Of course there will be disagreements! Things are NOT always perfect. However, always remember it is completely fine to express how you feel so the love of your life will understand what is happening in your head…nobody reads mind.
Lastly, trust your partner. There should be that level of trust and optimism with your other-half. As they always say “relationships are built on trust”, which in a nutshell simple means that if there is no trust, then there’s no relationship. Lack of trust can ruin something that was meant to be because of one’s insecurities, but you are only human, and it’s normal. Be optimistic and think positively at all times. Don’t accuse your partner of things he/she has probably never thought about. Instead, think about what your partner wouldn’t do and how great things will be when he/she returns from sea.
The distance will not diminish the love your partner has for you unless you allow it to. Your significant other has to work to provide for themselves, so they can provide for you. Let things flow the way they should and not push a good person away because of the distance, lack of trust, ineffective communication or lack of understanding. Long-distance relationships at sea work once both parties are committed to each other, and execute the three above-mentioned tips, you are likely to have the relationship of a lifetime. That said, get you a partner that works at sea.
