How COVID-19 has Affected Couples and How You Can Stay Resilient

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many couples with challenges they never imagined themselves facing. If you feel like the past year and a half has taken a serious toll on your relationship, you’re not alone. Even with a supportive partner by your side, navigating these uncertain times hasn’t been easy.

Maybe you’re not sure how to remedy the issues that have cropped up between you and your partner. Perhaps you’re even worried that your relationship might be on the rocks. If the pandemic has affected your relationship, you can rekindle your romantic connection. Here are a few tips that can help you become more resilient as a couple.

Lack of Alone Time

Did you and your partner spend a long quarantine together? If so, you might feel you’ve actually had too much time together with little interaction from anyone else! You might feel guilty for needing a little more “me time.”

But this is perfectly normal. Even the happiest couples do not want to spend all their time together. Having “me time” in a relationship relates to longevity in relationships. Talk to your partner about creating healthy boundaries around alone time so that you can both get a little room to breathe.

Feeling Bored and Stagnant

Perhaps you and your partner used to travel frequently. Maybe you loved checking out new restaurants in your neighborhood. Or maybe you planned out fun date nights most weekends and loved nothing more than exploring your city together. The pandemic likely put these plans on pause.

But now that some activities are opening again, you can start “dating” each other! Research safe activities in your area, such as hiking, eating at restaurants offering outdoor dining, or visiting parks or places like Murakami gardens. Make sure to take appropriate precautions for all your plans.

Financial Troubles

Many people lost income during the pandemic. Perhaps you or your partner were laid off or furloughed. You may even be searching for new jobs at the moment. Financial hardship can be difficult for even the strongest couples to handle, but open communication and actively planning for the future can help you make it through this challenge. Creating shared meanings and making life dreams come true can make you fall in love with each other all over again.

Have regular financial meetings with your partner and spend time going over your budget. You can determine where to cut costs, and you can also help each other polish your resumes and cover letters or practice for job interviews.

Shrinking Social Circles

It’s been a while since you’ve been able to regularly see your family and friends. And if you don’t have many loved ones nearby, perhaps you feel you and your partner have been depending on each other to fulfill practically all your emotional needs. For many couples this habit feels the right fit, but for others it may feel like a bad habit at some point. The solution? Making an effort to reconnect with old friends and relatives who you missed. You can also attend outdoor social events if you’re feeling up to it to meet new people!

Questioning the Future

During the pandemic, you may have had to change your habits and routines so drastically that you wonder if your life will ever feel truly “normal” again. And perhaps these changes have caused you to question your future with your partner. In general, it is not a good idea to make big life decisions when things are feeling too overwhelming. Remember, that what we went through and still ae going through is not normal so we may no longer have what we had before. We can find our new normal and create a new reality. If you’re worried that you and your partner might be headed in different directions, but you don’t want to give up on the relationship, it might be time to pursue couple’s therapy. A therapist can help you both determine if you have a path forward together.

Are you and your partner realizing that your connection has suffered during the pandemic? Couples counseling can help. Reach out to us today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session.