5 Tips For Couples In Self-Isolation

AdminApril 9, 2020

2 97 4 minutes read

5 Tips For Couples In Self-Isolation

Self-isolation is a huge test for all couples whether bathing in the bliss of the honeymoon period or living with a long-term partner especially in Africa, you know extremely well. In Africa, the divorce rates have risen significantly as a result of the quarantine period. Here are 5 tips for couples in self-isolation in other to help and maintain their love and Romance life regardless of your status.

5 Tips for couples in self-isolation

here are 5 tips to ease tension and keep the romantic fire burning, while ensuring your relationship comes out stronger than ever.

1. Manage those expectations

Start by exploring the expectations you and your partner have. Making sure you’re both on the same page throughout this time will avoid any major conflicts. Does one of you expect to be spending most of this time together, snuggling, while the other has work from home commitments? These are areas to create clarity.

Together, write a list of expectations you have. Be as open as you can, and bring a playful attitude towards any you know are either irrational or slightly cheeky. As you bring these to light and exchange with your partner, it highlights potential blind spots or misalignments between you. This, in turn, creates understanding of where you’re both at.

2. Keep tabs on perfectionism

Expectations are closely linked to perfectionism. Both are ideas projected onto reality, like Tom’s romantic expectations. The reality of the current coronavirus situation is tough and unprecedented: we’re entering an unknown period where our movement and daily lives are severely restricted. This is a time, if anything, to reduce expectations and be as forgiving as possible as each of us adjust.

Explore the standards you may be placing on your partner and yourself. This may mean believing you should be getting on all the time, getting frustrated at your partner or noticing a building resentment if things aren’t going to plan, or feeling you should always be in a good mood. Cut yourself and your partner some slack. Now’s a time to let things slide, boost self-compassion, and work together as a team. To the best of your ability, at least.

3. Be respectful of each other’s emotions

As we experience this global pandemic collectively, each of us are suffering in individual ways. It’s a time of high anxiety, uncertainty, and grief over the lives we’re not able to fully live at the moment. While this can become a time to explore ourselves, journal, learn, and grow, the reality is that there will be a lot of shadow work to confront too. Difficult emotions, from intense sadness, anger, or fear, can surface.

When you experience difficult emotions, use them as a tool to highlight where there may be unmet expectations or high standards. With a partner, it’s possible their difficult emotions surface at the same time. This means you may find yourself in a situation where emotions are running high and it’s hard for both of you to see things from a balanced perspective.

In these situations, take ownership of what’s yours and do your best to understand your partner’s perspective. Do what you can to support your partner when needed and don’t be afraid of leaning on your partner when feeling overwhelmed. Remember this doesn’t reflect the quality or compatibility of your relationship.

4. Set time to communicate openly

Here if you have work commitments or you have to homeschool the kids (or both), finding quality time to be together won’t be easy, despite self-isolation. Communication during self-isolation is more important than ever. Rather than rely on the time being “just right,” consider setting aside time to communicate openly about the situation.

This means creating space for both of you to share where you’re at – how you’re coping emotionally, what you’re finding challenging, what works, what doesn’t. Give both sides a chance to express themselves as the listener practices acceptance and non-judgement. This isn’t about blame, but openness.

5. Set aside time for intimacy and bonding

Who out there has the expectation that quarantine time means loads of hot, passionate sex and endless flirty exchanges? *Raises hand slowly*. With extra time to spare and less distractions, this is a great opportunity to build intimacy with your partner. To slow down and tune-in to the person in front of you. Again, though, it may require a little planning.

The idea of planned intimacy may bring up thoughts of passionless routine. Instead, forward-thinking can be the aphrodisiac to supercharge your relationship. Right now routine is a blessing providing stability in an unstable world. Setting aside a few hours to consciously create intimacy — be it massage, a shared bath, cooking a nice meal together — allows you to compartmentalise. Turn off the phone, shut the laptop, and fully focus on the shared present moment. But don’t forget those expectations.