Are long distance online friendships/relationships a blessing or a curse?

Question

By long distance, I'm referring to people who live far enough away that you'd either require flying on a plane across seas/countries to meet them in person or it'd take you 1000+ miles worth of driving to meet them! It may be easier to find someone online who matches what you want in a friendship but there are disadvantages where meeting physically in person is very difficult task. Do you like having online friends/lovers or does it make you feel more lonely when you can't interact with them in person as much as you'd like to? Let me know!

AmandaYVR · Accepted Answer

I like the way you phrased all this, Aysen.
I completely understand where your head is at with this. It is a tough call in some ways.
I've felt both very happy and appreciative, and absolutely tortured by the distance, logistics, and longing.
Here's my takeaway: I would never get into another LDR (I'm married so it's moot, but I play the hypothetical game anyway, just for fun, right). I've been in two that were romantic and I know them very well. Also, two different countries is infinitely more challenging than being in the same country. It's massively more complex, legally, financially, and emotionally having to leave all your social ties. It also puts massive pressure on the person who receives the other in their country. They know how much was given up for them.
But I personally can separate friendships from romantic, and I really enjoy having friends around the world. I think it's the best aspect of social media. As long as people are clear and upfront in the beginning, about the dynamics and type of relationship, I think it's a blessing. But then I can be friends with people and still get lots out of relationships that way. I'm not one of these people that think opposite genders can't be friends.

menina · Accepted Answer

I would say they're a curse only because most of the times you can't be physically together.
I've met amazing people online, especially here on GAG but I only met one of them in person. I also met the kindest, sweetest, genuine and open-minded person I've ever met here. Unfortunately he passed away and now I'll always wonder how it would be to meet him in person.
Meeting people online has some advantages of course, you can find like-minded people online. But at the same time it hurts, the distance ruins everything...

As for long distance online relationships I think they're only worth if you're planning on meeting in person soon. Otherwise it might be a waste of time and a rollercoaster of emotions.
I was in a long distance relationship and it didn't end up well. I can't date at this moment but I also wouldn't go for a LDR. Too much pain and high expectations involved.

sawno · Accepted Answer

Both, in my case we both aren't fully ready for a phtsical relationship due to life circumstances so the long distance made our relationship possible. We also are able to do most things we'd want to do together.

The curse is that with the current political climate there is no certainty of our future. We'd love to visit in person but the mandates make it impossible and technically speaking we could both be categorised as terrorists by the biden administration because we oppose the covid restrictions, think trump won and don't think jan 6 was a legit threat. These things may make it hard for me to migrate since those traits while universally shared by many are on their list of things to look for.

I do have good hopes of a future for us, but we may have to wait until a different administration.

EvanPearson727 · Accepted Answer

Those kind of relationships are a blessing and a curse. It's really exciting when you connect with a person online who just clicks with you perfectly. You can have incredibly deep conversations and be excellent emotional support for each other. The sexting can also be fun and it fills a void while you're single. However, the more you bond with that person, the more frustrated you become because you get to a point in the relationship where you hit a wall. You start to see that you live in separate countries, you both have responsibilities, and the odds of you ever living together are low.
The deeper your feelings get for each other, the more it hurts.

midnightmoon05 · Answer

I met my partner here... started out as LDR right away... not intended.. but it turned out that way. We both work together to make the relationship work. And now living together.
I have gag friends here and in real life...
My partner and I know them... if we happen to go to their state, we will meet up...
Otherwise, i don't have a strong urge as I miss them that i will lose sleep over online friends or in real life friends whom I haven't seen over 10 years.
True friendship don't change in that sense... we still have good laughs just like the good old times.
I am so busy with life, I feel bad I don't keep up with my friends. So I reach out over the phone whenver I can to catch up.

Kitty0811 · Answer

It's amazing. Im in one right now and it is the best thing. It's amazing because even though you're not physically together you love each other. There is more to it than just physical intimacy and if you can make LDR work, 90% chance you can make non LDR with the same person work.

eblehe · Answer

Long distance relationship has been a blessing for me, in the sense that I met a wonderful man who was everything I ever wanted and more. But we were both young and did not thing it through about how we'd actually end up together in the future. But it ended up as a curse because we did not make it. the distance became too much and we made a tough decision (I did actually).
I'd say long distance friendship has been a good experience for me, and I've made many friends online.

CuriousJC · Answer

It's a curse. When you are really really socially awkward and you don't have those type of social skills to talk in public and prefer to talk alone by yourself when nobody can hear you then of course it's a curse. Especially when you meet the right person for you but he or she is five thousand miles away from you and you don't know what to do.

FictionalCharacter · Answer

I wanna say a curse since they’re far away and a blessing, since they still try to communicate with you.

In my case, my family are away on a trip. While I’m here by myself with no real physical friends. That all I have is LD friends who are willing to check up on me.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

They're nice but, if you can't make them into a face to face reality, they might not be worth it.
Having them as friends is okay but, having nothing BUT friends at the other end of a LOOOOOOOONG series of wires isn't all that great. They're still great to talk to but, you just NEED face to face, sometimes!!

lilyfreeman · Answer

My sister had to do it when her boyfriend (now fiance) moved abroad for a couple years for work. It worked out fine, the key she said was just having an end timeline that you're both working towards so that you know there's an end date where you'll both be together again

Adam1978 · Answer

Friendship isn't a problem you never need to meet, relationship is just pointless because that requires physical contact in my opinion. Otherwise you are just friends.

Anonymous · Answer

the love of my life of 4 years is long distance. i flew to see her last year for her birthday and traveled out of state this year in September when they had business interviews. the first time i saw them in 2018 was magical. i cherish that moment always i keep it close to my heart

exitseven · Answer

Friendships could work because of the dynamic but a relationship is doomed from the start unless there is an end goal where you both end up in the same place.

crazy8000 · Answer

Can't consider it as a relationship. just someone I chat with.
Just friends must we have met IRL and meet once in a while.
For more than just friends. yeah. unless we meet IRL almost every week there can't be one.

MTC29 · Answer

I tried it, and it failed miserably. Your mileage may vary.

Anonymous · Answer

It's both. I love my long distance relationship because I do like the anticipation and being apart. However it's horrible when the communication is lacking. Can't have serious conversations via text.

Cubus · Answer

My friend and his girlfriend live 300 km from each other. They are together for 5 years and they are very happy. I asked him about far-distance relationship, and he said it's not a problem at all.

lilaccc · Answer

long distance online friendship = blessing long distance online lovers = curse

CallmeTheKnight · Answer

Depends on plenty of factors, like the type of relationship, the distance, communication, and the consistency involved.

najekim · Answer

Don't know about 1000+ miles, but I used to drive 8-9 hours to see my current wife when we were dating. That was over 1/4 century ago when the speed limit was 55mph on the freeways.

JoyGirl · Answer

As long as they are honest with me. The moment they lose my trust, it is kinda over. 🤷🏾‍♀️

misterCage4 · Answer

I'd prefer having LD friendships over relationships. They're easier to maintain. Also I don't live LDRs.

whosnumber1 · Answer

uggg.. they are a curse. get some long distance vibrators. lovense makes some and you can remotely buzz each other

Shy_Steve · Answer

If you see it as a blessing you are going to be more happier about it and if you don't your odviously not going to feel good, So it's up to you.

Iron_Man · Answer

It’s better than nothing but it can tie up a lot of your time if you’re not going anywhere

IronsKev · Answer

Never been in one so I can't say really however the idea of one doesn't appeal to me at all

noohair · Answer

I thought i had a friend but she was just using me. Shit happens.

KingofCups · Answer

Complete waste of time and energy! Connect with the people around you.

pink_and_inlove · Answer

It would be very hard for me

Sugar_7 · Answer

It’s a waste of time.

Anonymous · Answer

More like a joke that you don't take serious.

Exterminatore · Answer

LDR not for me.

WowwGirl · Answer

For me a blessing

Dnice1 · Answer

Blessing for sure

Fuentes · Answer

I would never do it

EaterPeter · Answer

Curse

Julious0202 · Answer

Curse

jimmy2 · Answer

Curse

Anonymous · Answer

Blessings.

Are long distance online friendships/relationships a blessing or a curse?

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