There have been a lot of firsts in my relationships this summer. First time meeting each other’s families, our first time visiting each other’s childhood towns, and most recently, our first time traveling abroad together!
They say that you don’t really know someone until you travel with them, so when my boyfriend agreed to go on my family trip, which included eighteen of my relatives, I was a little worried for him and our relationship.
Would it be too much family time for him? Would our travel styles be so different? Would that much time together under the same roof suddenly cause arguments? Would he get annoyed with the mess I usually endure when living out of a suitcase?! These were all the questions that entered my mind as the departure date grew closer.
The good news is, I can report that the trip actually brought us closer than ever before. While I mostly chalk up the success to my boyfriend because he is one of the most friendly and easy-going people I know, I will say that having open and effective communication helped us both out on this trip.
That is why I wanted to pass along some of those communication tips I learned along the way that helped the two of us out. So for any couples thinking about taking that first trip together, here is some guidance to help ya’ll enjoy a fun, unforgettable trip as we did 😉
- Discuss Priorities
Communicate what each other’s priorities are for the trip. For example, what day trips or activities are a must for one another?
Accommodate each other and figure out the rest by scheduling your days. If you have something that your partner has zero interest in, there is nothing wrong with going to do each of those activities separately on an afternoon, especially if it is a long trip. Everyone can use some alone time.
Ideally, though, you’ll want to compromise and do the things you are most excited about together–even if it isn’t your or your partner’s top priority.
This simple tip is one of the early relationship lessons I’ve learned that can be applied to anything you guys like to do together or alone.
- Accommodate Each Other’s Travel Styles
Discuss what type of vacation you are looking for and what routine you want. For example, some want to sleep in and go with the flow and see what they are feeling the day of, while others need every second scheduled.
If you have different travel styles, meet each other in the middle and give each other room to do what you want. Maybe that means entertaining yourself while your significant other sleeps in and then meeting up. Openly discussing what you want your schedule to look like or the lack of schedule will save resentment.
- Be Open with Your Feelings
Be honest with yourself and your partner and give them a heads up if you are someone who tends to get moody or easily irritable from traveling. Having grown up in a big family, I have realized that this can be the biggest source of conflict on a trip and the easiest one to avoid.
Communicate when you feel tense or not yourself and acknowledge the same out of your partner. This will help you not take things personally that may have been said due to the stress of travel.
- Check-In with Your Partner
Check-in throughout the trip. Simply asking your partner how they feel the trip is going and what they want more or less of can save you conflict and, better yet, resentment.
Maybe you think that the amount of activity is great while your significant other wants some more downtime. You can get wrapped up in the adventure of travel and forget to stop and check in to make sure that you are on the same page.
- Give Each Other Space and Grace.
The stress of traveling can get the best of us sometimes, no matter how hard we try to avoid it. If you or your partner have a moment of irritability during your trip, try to give each other grace and understand that traveling can inherently be stressful, and you and your partner are both doing the best you can.
Also, acknowledge that being with someone for an extended time, you are bound to reach some sort of disagreement (hopefully small but still). Try to calmly communicate how you guys are feeling, sympathize with one another, and give each other space if needed to regroup.
Space is especially needed if one of you happens to be an introvert. Don’t take offense to it and recognize that each of you has needs; sometimes, that need is a walk alone or a quiet afternoon. Try not to sweat the small stuff and just focus on having the best possible time!
Traveling with your significant other can be exciting and stressful. Practicing effective communication and being open with each other will help you both stay on the same page. If you have any more tips, drop a comment below to discuss!
