First, this is definitely for girlfriends, as well - any one sharing an intimate partnership with a musician. There are so many unique challenges that come about when tiem together is limited. Since time is really what indicates your priorities in life, I think that our relationship tends to feel like less of a priority when he's on tour. One thing that has helped me with this, is understanding exactly what his days consist of while he's on the road. He has explained how he doesn't even have time to used the restroom privately, or how he's stuck in a tiny one-room airport with no background music and every word we share is heard by everyone else in the band. It helped me understand that he is working really, really hard for us, and that he misses me terribly and that every single time he has a single second to spare, he is calling me to check in, if only for one or two minutes. Knowing that, I used to carry my cell phone and answer his call no matter what (because otherwise I might not be able to talk to him again until after midnight and just to say goodnight). But I've stopped doing that because it made me feel like I was always waiting by the phone - not good for self-esteem. I know that our time together is on hold while he's on tour, but our life together is not. I keep things running at home, and try to fill up my free time with things that I enjoy, so I'm not always pining for his retunr so I can have a life again!
I know you didn't ask for advice but, as mermaid indicateed, these relationships are on-going works in progress. If we all share, maybe we can each fine-tune our way to contentedness (or beyond!)! |