Navigating Relationship Conflict While Travelling Abroad: Resolving Conflicts Responsibly
Travelling with your partner can be a truly exhilarating experience, but it’s not uncommon for conflicts and arguments to arise along the way – especially when unforeseen obstacles pop up and/or alcohol is involved.
As such, dealing with relationship conflict while travelling requires a rather unique approach because you are in unfamiliar surroundings and may be dealing with cultural differences and language barriers.
In this blog post, we’ll explore five practical strategies for resolving conflicts responsibly and ensuring the safety and well-being of both partners. It doesn’t matter how frustrated you are with your partner – storming off at 1am by yourself with a belly full of alcohol is not the solution.
Here’s what you need to know…
1. Practice Open Communication
It is imperative that you maintain open lines of communication – even when tensions are high. You should aim to find a neutral setting and discuss any issues calmly and respectfully.
Sure, it’s not always easy to do, but try to listen actively and express your thoughts without blame or hostility.
2. Take a Timeout
When conflicts are escalating, take a step back from the situation. You should agree to a temporary timeout so you can both regain your perspective and composure.
This is also a great opportunity to take some time to yourself and enjoy a relaxing walk to clear your head – just be sure to do so during the day and don’t stray too far off the beaten track without notifying your partner of where you are going first.
3. Seek Compromise and Flexibility
Compromise and flexibility is important in any relationship conflict – even more so when you are overseas and in unfamiliar territory.
You must try to consider each other’s needs and interests when making decisions and be open to adjusting plans and/or making alternative arrangements.
Travelling isn’t always fun! Sometimes it can be scary and stressful and you need to be supportive of each other’s boundaries.
4. Engage in Self-Care
Prioritising self-care in order to manage stress and maintain your emotional well-being is important – and you owe it to each other.
So, during conflicts and when taking time apart, be sure to engage in activities that help you relax and rejuvenate. You might think that turning to alcohol and going for a wild night out without your partner is the key to making things better, but it is likely only to make things worse – especially if you are frustrated and feeling careless.
For example, if you are both drunk and you separate on a night out, you may be tempted to wander off and find a one-night stand with a stranger out of spite. This comes with an element of risk; not just for your own personal safety and well-being, but that of your long-term relationship as well.
Instead, go home and enjoy some self-pleasure with vibrators or male sex toys. You’d be surprised by how much better you’ll feel – absent any relationship-breaking guilt!
In other words, running into the arms of another during a conflict is not a healthy resolution.
5. Ensure Safety and Responsibility
No matter how intense the argument, you should prioritise each other’s safety and well-being. Again, it doesn’t matter how angry or upset you are, you need to remember that you love and care deeply about this person.
Avoid storming off or engaging in risky behaviour, especially in unfamiliar environments. Remember, you have a duty of care to one another, even during moments of conflict.
Conclusion
Relationship conflicts are a normal part of travelling with your partner, but it’s crucial to handle them responsibly. Maintaining open communication, taking timeouts, seeking compromise, and practising self-care are all effective strategies for resolving conflicts while travelling – without putting either one of you in any unnecessary danger!
And even if you both agree that this conflict is a game-changer and is likely to result in the end of your relationship, you should still travel home together and see to it that you both arrive safely.
Take some responsibility and afford one another the respect you both deserve.
