How Relationships Are Getting Through Covid - Magazine Article

Stacy J
Mar 3, 2022
3 min read

This article is from our print magazine issued January 1st 2022. To order a copy of the magazine please do so here.

During the past two years, couples have found themselves in one of two categories: falling more in love than ever before, or fighting about how loud the other person is breathing. Covid has been a make-or-break situation for many couples. As someone who got engaged and married during the pandemic, my relationship has become even stronger. However, I have known many couples who have broken up and even divorced during this time. Here are four ways you can help make your relationship stronger through Covid.

1) Spend time apart

Even if you are stuck at home, you can still make time for yourself. If you have kids, let your partner take over while you enjoy some breathing space. There have been many instances during Covid when my partner and I have intentionally spent time apart.

My husband plays video games and has virtual hangouts with his friends regularly. I go for walks alone, host virtual hangouts with my friends, and read lots of books. Couples who spend time apart have the space to recharge, coming back to their relationship as a more refreshed version of themselves.

2) Try new things together

The best way to create more depth in your relationship is by prioritizing novelty. The more you can create unique experiences with your partner, the easier it will be to connect.

You might be wondering how you can introduce more novelty into your relationship while being stuck at home. Many options include cooking new recipes together, playing different board games, and going for walks in other neighborhoods. You can have a date night at home by looking up some new conversation starters and ordering take-out from a new restaurant.

Try to incorporate new experiences in the categories of conversation, food, scenery, and movies. New experiences come with new opportunities for connection.

3) Give specific communication and feedback

No one can read minds, including your partner. You do not have permission to be angry with them until you have clearly communicated what you need them to do. While you might feel you have expressed that you need help around the house a million times, your partner may not know what that truly means.

"I need you to help me around the house" is a much different statement than "I need you to clean the bathroom once a week and do two loads of laundry on Saturdays." If you can be more specific with your communication, the less your partner will be left guessing.

4) Avoid personal criticism

While it is essential to communicate your wants and needs, you need to do it in a way that conveys kindness. For example, if you say to your partner, "You are always on your phone, and I wish you would put it down," it may come across as critical. If you say, "I miss having uninterrupted time with you, and I would love it if we could spend quality time together without our phones," it communicates desire and love, rather than criticism. Approaching every interaction with kindness and vulnerability will bring you closer together.

If your relationship has felt strained during Covid, there is still time to give it the nurturing it needs. The pandemic has been stress-inducing, but there are many ways to introduce fun and playfulness back into your relationship. One day, Covid will be a memory from the past, but your relationship has the potential to carry on long after these unprecedented times are over. So happy to share this with you loving folks. Keep loving & living.