Sharing your life with one particular person can be romantic, but not in the times of isolation.
Being trapped with your partner in one apartment for the only god knows how long it can be a real challenge for your relationship. Even if you don’t share space with your loved one, it still can be difficult.
The thing is that you can’t do many things together. For example, you can’t meet in the company of friends or travel to another city. All you can do is to stay home and hope that someone will finally find a cure for this virus.
In a time of isolation, millions, if not billions of people go insane due to the lack of freedom and scary news about the increasing number of infected patients and deaths.
So, is it even possible to save your relationship and stay mentally healthy?
The short answer is yes.
And here is a long answer: You need to make an effort and be creative in order to become a good partner during isolation. And here is how you can navigate long periods of isolation without any consequences such as breakup:
Spend time alone
It doesn’t matter whether you share the roof with your significant other or not; you should still make some time for yourself. According to Beyond Ages experts, solitude can help you build mental strength, spark your creativity, and even increase productivity.
This pandemic is your chance to really get to know yourself and plan your life. Try to explain this to your partner instead of saying ‘you take my space’, or ‘I need a break.’ The thing is that these words can seriously hurt your loved one. It’s better to communicate clearly. For instance: Honey, I’d like to spend the next three hours reading and doing yoga. Wanna cook something together afterward?
That’s how your partner will know that you need your time, but it doesn’t mean you don’t love them anymore. Spending time alone will give your significant other time to do their own things and live their best isolation life.
Stay in touch with others
Right now, you can’t go out with friends or visit your parents, but it doesn’t mean you can’t stay in touch with them. Being connected to the world is important both for your mental health and your relationship. Schedule phone calls and video chats with your friends and relatives every single day. That’s how you can give your partner more space. Also, after talking to other people, you will have more topics for discussion with your partner.
Communicate better
In case you are 24/7 together, being a good communicator is a must. It means that you need to be more empathic, talk about your needs, and ask your partner to do the same. Isolation is not a time for name-calling, shaming, raising your voice, or complaining.
You need to start asking your loved one more questions without assuming that you know all the answers. Also, make sure to listen carefully and respond when your loved one wants to reach you out.
If your partner is annoying, but they don’t do anything wrong, take a deep breath, and go for a walk around the block.
Make plans together
A current situation gives you an opportunity to do a lot of useful things. For example, you can attend an online class, do yoga, learn how to cook risotto and bake an apple pie. Why not share these interests with your partner? You will make memories together, learn plenty of new things, and become even closer.
There is no need to stare into your phone or speak about your relationship all the time. You have access to information, so use it to save your relationship from falling apart!
Stay positive
A lot of people are scared and depressed. You might also feel sad and unmotivated to keep going in current circumstances. However, it’s not only about you. You also take responsibility for your loved one. So, it’s not the right time to be a drama queen and complain about your life. Your partner might feel the same but you need to keep making each other happy no matter what. That’s why you are in the relationship, remember?
Author: Maya Kinsley is a freelance writer based in London. She encourages her readers to explore their intimacy within a relationship and enjoy themselves. As Maya says, discovering your true nature takes time, guts, and practice, but it’s worth it.
