Looking to go to SE Asia by myself this June for about a month. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for the past 4-5 years, but this is the first real opportunity I’ve had to actually do it. I’m now 21 and I took a gap year before university to pursue my travelling but due to a certain pandemic it never happened.

I’m three years into a relationship and I love my girlfriend to pieces. We’ve never really argued much, but this has become something of a sticking point. She generally seems very reluctant for me to do this - partially because she knows I want to go by myself and not with her (which I completely understand) but I think it’s also because she really isn’t enjoying the thought of a month of very little contact with me. She knows it’s something I’ve been wanting to do ever since we got together, but because I’ve never really had the chance to do it we’ve just sort of swept it under the carpet.

I think in her ideal world I don’t go, and if I do, I make a considerable effort to call/text her while I’m out there. I’ve tried to be honest and I’ve said I can’t promise to talk to her much whilst I’m travelling. I don’t want to be that guy that’s talking to his girlfriend every other day whilst trying to meet new people and discover places. I feel like she’ll pretty quickly get used to not talking to me much, but I know that’s easy for me to say as I’m not the one being left at home.

Are either of us being unreasonable? Just want your opinions really, as I don’t know anyone who’s been in this position. If you think I’m being a dick I’d rather you told me!

Thanks all :)