9 Ways Traveling Unveils the Real Nature of Your Relationship

If you’ve recently started a relationship and suspect your partner might be your perfect match, here’s why you should consider taking a trip together to confirm your intuition!

In the beginning stages of any relationship, we often put our best foot forward, displaying our most attractive traits and concealing the less appealing ones. But is that the real you? If you’re only showcasing your best, what about your partner? It’s human nature to want to impress, especially when you start dating someone and begin contemplating a future together. Sooner or later, the true colors of both partners will inevitably surface.

When we initiate a relationship, we tend to focus on the major aspects while neglecting the minor ones. Questions like, “Does my partner have a stable job?”, “Are they ambitious?”, “Do they have a good education?”, or “Do they want kids, and if so, how many?” often dominate our thoughts. While these questions are essential, they usually get answered pretty early on. So, what’s next?

How Traveling Reveals the Strength of Your Relationship

Whether you’ve been dating for a week or three months, traveling together somewhere (and no, we’re not talking about a visit to grandma’s house) can help you discover the small details you might have missed in your home environment.

Just the two of you, exploring new places together. It could be a road trip to California, backpacking across Europe, or camping in the mountains. When you embark on such a journey, here’s what you’ll discover:

#1 Planning vs. Spontaneity: When planning a trip, it’s vital to remember the basics – destination, attire, food, budget, etc. But it’s equally important to see how you’d react if your partner isn’t as organized or prepared as you are. For instance, do you always check the weather before packing? Do you often forget to pack toothpaste? How do you feel about these things, and how would you react if your partner doesn’t share your level of preparedness? Traveling will inevitably reveal the answers to these questions.

#2 Courtesy vs. Rudeness: During any journey, you’ll likely stop to eat, refuel, ask for directions, or take a break. Paying attention to how your partner interacts with strangers can provide insights into their character. Remember, the way they treat others could eventually reflect how they treat you.

#3 Navigating vs. Getting Lost: Traveling usually involves following directions to your destination, whether through GPS, a map, or mental imagery. But having a map doesn’t guarantee accurate navigation, especially in a foreign country with a different language. You’ll likely get lost at some point, and your reactions to such situations can reveal a lot about your compatibility.

#4 Crisis Management: If something goes wrong on your trip, like losing your wallet or encountering severe weather, do you have a contingency plan? If not, how would you react? How you handle emergencies can tell you a lot about each other’s problem-solving abilities and resilience.

#5 Compatibility vs. Annoyance: Have you spent more than 10 hours in a car together? Does he insist on listening to heavy metal while you prefer the Frozen soundtrack? These are the kind of quirks you’ll discover about each other when traveling, and they’ll either drive you crazy or give you another reason to fall in love.

#6 Comfort vs. Discomfort: Traveling can quickly reveal whether you feel comfortable around each other or if your partner’s behavior scares you. It’s crucial to feel safe in a relationship. If you notice any red flags, don’t ignore them.

#7 Compromise: You may be in love, but that doesn’t mean you’ll always agree on everything. How you resolve disagreements is crucial. Traveling can highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to reach a compromise that satisfies both parties.

#8 Support vs. Neglect: If she’s adventurous and wants to go hang-gliding, but you don’t, how would you react? Would you be content watching, or would you feel left out? Supporting each other’s interests is critical, even if you’ve experienced something before.

#9 Fun Factor: The most crucial aspect of traveling together is to have fun! Regardless of the challenges you face, the detours you take, or the arguments you endure, the essential question is, “Did you have fun?” If the answer is yes, your relationship is on the right track. If the trip made you question your compatibility, it might be a sign that you’re not as well-matched as you initially thought.

Traveling to a new location can bring out the best or worst in people. That’s why it’s the ultimate test of whether you can weather any relationship storm. So pack your bags and embark on a journey that might just define your future together!