How to Help Your Relationship Survive a Lockdown

The lockdown restrictions have been tough on all of us. The debate about who had it worse is likely to rage on through the winter. Single people are missing the opportunity to mingle and meet new people. Couples who live together are watching their relationship wither before their eyes. And couples that don’t live together have been forced to continue their relationship through zoom meetings. Safe to say we’re all feeling the effects of this year.

In this article, we’re going to look at how couples can protect their relationship from the effects of lockdown. So no matter what stage you are in your relationship, we have some advice and recommendations for you.

Enjoy quality time together

You might not be able to head out for a date night, but that doesn’t mean that you should let your relationship get in a rut. Lockdown relationships need a little bit more work to make them viable, and this means making time to enjoy quality time together. 

We know what you’re thinking: I spend all day every day with this person, how on earth am I supposed to make any of it quality? The key is to ring-fence time for a fake date night and try to replicate what you would normally enjoy. Order a fancy takeaway, choose a movie and put your phones away. Or cook a meal together and enjoy a themed night. Whatever you do, protect your time and don’t fall into the trap of just staring at your phones.

Make the effort

When you live in your favourite sweats, it’s easy to fall into the trap of never making an effort. You still need to groom yourself. So, shave your legs, try an at-home bikini wax, and drag something out of your lingerie collection before date night. Men, keep that beard under control, find some boxers without holes in them and try a spritz of cologne. Anything to let your partner know you’re making an effort.

Respect boundaries

When you can’t go out to blow off some steam with your friends, you might need to spend some time alone in your own home. If you’re sharing a small space, this can be difficult to achieve. If your partner expresses the wish to be alone, do everything you can to make this happen and respect their boundaries. And when you feel like you need a little space, don’t be afraid to ask for the same thing. It doesn’t mean you love each other any less, it just means that you’re human.

Show gratitude

When you’re stuck with each other, day after day, you might start to forget your manners. Arguments about housework can easily be avoided if you just take the time to set expectations and then show gratitude for the other person’s contribution. Take the time to notice the little things that your partner does to make your living arrangements more bearable.

Make plans together

Planning for the future can help you to start imagining life after COVID-19. You might be planning your honeymoon, rescheduling a wedding, or just thinking about taking a dream trip. Even if your plans aren’t set in stone, it can help to start thinking about things you might like to do once you can. Many couples are creating a savings fund that will allow them to get out and start enjoying life again once restrictions are eased. If funds are tight at the moment, as they are for so many people, you could start by creating a list of things you want to do.

Take things as they come

While the vaccine might give us some hope that things could return to normal soon, what that normal looks like remains to be seen. We’re all bound to exit this period of upheaval at different times. Some might not feel comfortable in social situations for a long time. Others might be keen to make up for lost time. 

There are some things you simply cannot plan for, so you have to be prepared to take things as they come. Trying to micromanage your way out of a pandemic will only have disastrous consequences for you and your partner, so try to embrace it with a little bit of the blind optimism we all used in March 2020.