In this new world of social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be contemplating the odds of you and your partner successfully navigating multiple weeks of one-on-one time. To help, here are seven tips to make the most of this time with your loved one.
1. Express Appreciation
Train your brain to start everyday with the thought “What is one kind thing I can do for my partner today?” This can be anything from writing a note on the bathroom mirror with a dry erase marker to making them a cup of coffee or giving them a sincere compliment or appreciation.
One small act of kindness can make a big difference to the outcome of a single morning, let alone an entire day or week.
2. Consider This an Adventure
Try something new you have never done before as a couple. You have a wide variety of options from a salsa dance lesson in your living room to having a cooking challenge using limited ingredients. With a pinch of creativity and a splash of fun, you can create your own version of Chopped!
3. Be Social
Social distancing does not have to mean isolation. Reach out to friends and family to set up an old fashioned game night. We live in a tech savvy world, so game night does not depend on you being in the same room as your competition.
Here are a few sites to get you started.
4. Alone Time Matters
Allow yourselves the personal space to breathe, meditate, read a book, exercise, or take a long bath. If you have a pet, take them for a stroll and get some fresh air.
It’s possible to be together without physically being in the same room the entire day. Alone time offers a refreshing opportunity for some self-care and introspection.
5. Do a Relationship Check-Up
This is a great time to check in with one another on the goals you have as individuals, as a couple, and as a family. You can spend time doing a couple’s workshop online, or keeping it simple by discussing a few focused topics such as money, sex, or parenting.
Some great couple’s workshops are:
6. Practice Empathy
These are unusual circumstances to say the least. Recognize your partner’s frustrations and validate them. It’s ok to be frustrated and sit in that frustration with your partner for a minute.
Everyone wants to feel validated and understood. We are all frustrated by different aspects of these circumstances. Use it as an opportunity to be on the same team about the challenges you both are facing.
7. Find Good News Everyday and Share It
In a world of negativity, make it your mission to find the good news and share it with each other. There is hope in the midst of the bleak reports we are hearing, and together you can motivate one another through this next week.
We’ll get you started on your good news sources.
It can be a challenge to move through this crisis moment together, but you can turn the stretches of days from endless hours into a rare opportunity for fun and emotional intimacy. I challenge you to create moments of positivity using these seven steps.