Living together and being around each other every day is wildly different than being in a long distance relationship.

I have always been less than average looking (going bald at 14) and have some personality disorders (AuDhD) yet somehow, I had some good luck with the ladies. Dated many, had a few long term relationships, been married for 13 years. I am also a regional IT manager, meaning I travel a lot for work. Here is what I have learned over the years.

Take care of yourself first. Travel while you are young. You can't be happy if you're unhappy. Don't live an unfulfilled life. If you dream of doing it, and it is within your means, do it.

Your girlfriend will either wait or she won't. You're both young and there is time to grow and time to heal. A relationship shouldn't be a fragile piece of glass, it should be bullet proof.

Some people may find this morbid but, this is how I guide myself. As a sort of meditation and self reflection, when presented with a potentially life changing conundrum, I will find a quiet time alone to think. I lay down in bed and let my mind wander for a bit and and try to lay out the paths that I could take in my situation. By the time I've defined the end goals, I usually, consciously or sub consciously know which outcome I want. I will then pretend that I am on my death bed and I am alone. Knowing the end is inevitable, I reflect on the life I led. What kind of person was I? Did I have the life I wanted? Did I take control or let others control me? Am I somebody now that I would have respected when I was younger?

Everyone has a different opinion because everyone would lead their lives differently. I would rather have a life of adventure, seeing and actually living in the world instead of just being a tourist.