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Couples all over the country have been thrown into spending oodles and oodles of time together over the last month. With no clear understanding of when this might end, we are hearing more and more that couples are struggling. Struggling communicating their needs. Struggling finding time for themselves. Struggling to find balance. The relationship struggles right now are real!
Here are some tips for getting through the relationship struggles:
- Encourage each other. You are both in this together. Find ways to support each other and acknowledge each other’s efforts. Encouraging each other can help you build a stronger relationship.
- It’s important to embrace the changes that occur over time. Encourage each other to pursue new dreams, goals, and activities.
- Give each other space. When you are constantly around each other, it is increasingly more important to be aware of when your partner or you may need some space. This will help give each of you a little time to process things and think things through calmly.
- Alone time is important – and not just for introverts! Alone time helps you to process and integrate your thoughts and feelings.
- Share the responsibility of taking care of children. Your children are home with you too. This has made for very busy homes during this time. You are most likely also navigating homeschooling, and possibly attempting to also find time to work! Try dividing caretaking time with your partner so that you are each able to find time for yourselves and/or work. Additionally, try find time for just the two of you – even if it’s 5 minutes over coffee in the morning.
- Children are an important part of your relationship. Even so, you can help your relationship thrive when you make it a priority to find some time for just the two of you to share some quality time together and appreciate each other.
- Pay attention to argument patterns. Arguing may be happening more regularly now that you are together all the time. Do find you are arguing about the same topics repeatedly? If so, sit down and work through these issues together before they become bigger challenges. Try to find positive solutions that bring benefits to both of you.
- In addition, noticing the patterns can help you break them. As soon as you see yourself slipping into the same argument pattern, stop right there. Take a moment to think of a different approach to the challenge.
- Stick to a routine. It’s easy to slip into a relaxed routine. Before you know it, you’ve been sitting in PJ’s for three days! Stick to as a regular a routine as possible as this will help you both feel a little more in control of the situation and able to support one another.
- Sticking to a routine will also make it easier to get back to regular life when this returns.
- Listen to each other. We often hear complaints about one partner not listening to the other one during conversations or arguments. Communication is the key to a thriving relationship!
- Instead of ignoring a boring conversation, attempt to stay motivated to listen. If you let your mind wander off, your partner will notice your lack of attention and feel neglected.
- If you don’t listen to each other, then you can’t understand the thoughts, feelings, and issues that matter. You’re at risk of losing an essential part of your relationship.
Your relationship struggles don’t define you.
Your relationship is important.
You can have a strong, healthy, and joyous relationship even in the time of COVID-19!
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