Could Dealing With a Pandemic Bring You Closer to Your Partner?

Coronavirus doesn’t have any positives attached to it, but could dealing with a worldwide pandemic bring you closer to your partner?

We’re living in uncertain times, and we’ve never been through anything quite like this before. Hopefully we will never go through it again either. But for now, we’re having to adjust to a new reality that is turning our lives upside down.

I’m not going to sit here and pretend that I can put a positive spin on this situation. There really isn’t one. People are dying. Many people are separated from their loved ones. There’s a huge amount of stress and anxiety going around.

It’s hard to see much hope on the horizon when you’re bombarded with negative news every single day. However, one thought is worth examining and could bring a chink of light to your day.

Could dealing with a worldwide pandemic bring you closer to your partner?

I’ve been thinking about this for the last few days. In some ways, it could.

[Read: The 11 most important things in a relationship to keep it moving forward]

What’s your situation?

Of course, this depends upon whether you’re isolating with your partner or whether you’re separated. There are countless couples who can’t see each other physically due to social distancing regulations. This means video calls and messaging aplenty.

Think about the time when this is over and you can head over and see them in person for the first time. Can you imagine how wonderful that will feel?

[Read: How to fight loneliness while self isolating during a pandemic]

Going through a difficult time can make or break a relationship. When you’re both going through the same thing, and everyone around you is too, there is an argument to suggest that dealing with a worldwide pandemic could actually make you stronger. Look at it this way… if you can handle this, surely you can handle anything? [Read: These are 12 healthy relationship expectations for a good love life]

What do you think? Could dating with a worldwide pandemic really bring you closer to your partner?

You might be smiling and shaking your head right now, having spent x number of days cooped up in your house with your partner. When there is no outlet and no ability to head out and spend time with friends, it’s easy to get on each others’ nerves.

This is a two-sided kind of deal. On the one hand, dealing with a worldwide pandemic could make you stronger as a couple. It could help you reassess and appreciate your love for one another and avoid taking each other for granted in the future. However, it could also be the straw that breaks the camel’s back!

[Read: Are you self-isolating with a narcissist and need help coping?]

Spending a large amount of time with someone, when you’re not used to it, whether you love them or not, can lead to arguments and petty squabbles which could easily bubble up and boil over. It only takes one partner to say something they don’t mean and the entire situation could be flipped on its head.

So, how can you make sure that handling this worldwide pandemic brings you closer to your partner and not further away emotionally?

#1 Recognize that you both still need your space. You might not be able to get away from each other physically if you’re isolating together. You can find your own space in other ways. You’re allowed to go out for some exercise or shop, so make sure that you go alone. This will give you both a little space and time to miss the other.

You’re also able to head into the garden or into another room and spend time on your own. Make sure you do this! We’re just not designed to spend every waking second with each other, no matter how romantic it might sound. [Read: Here’s how not to be boring in your relationship]

#2 Focus on things aside from the news. It’s easy to get caught up in the news. It’s everywhere at the moment. You look on your social media feeds and everything is virus-related. You read the news. It’s the same. The barrage of negativity can easily find its way into your relationship. It’s important to focus on other things.

Have date nights, in the house, of course. If you’re isolating away from each other, have date nights over video call instead. Maintain the connection you need to be a positive and uplifting thing.

#3 Talk about your feelings. Despite the above point, it’s also important to talk about how you’re feeling. This entire situation causes anxiety and uncertainty. Your partner should be the one you open up to, and vice versa.

This can help you both be a support network and sounding board for each other. As a result, you’ll find that dealing with a worldwide pandemic such as this can bring you closer to your partner because you’re helping each other through it emotionally. [Read: How to keep your relationship going while self isolating]

#4 Make the most of the contact you have. If you’re isolating away from your partner, you no doubt miss them. However, when you contact each other make the most of it. Talk about uplifting things, reminisce, and make plans to do fun things when this is all over.

Of course, it goes without saying that when it is all over, you should definitely make good on your plans and enjoy them wholeheartedly! They say that “absence makes the heart grow fonder” and it’s certainly a truth. Keep that in mind. [Read: How to handle social distancing from your partner and not feel lonely]

#5 Understand your partner’s moods. Your partner may be up and down from one day to the next, just as you are. This type of situation is uncharted territory for us all. We can wake up feeling fine one day but full of anxiety the next.

Make sure that you do your best to accommodate their moods without questioning or stressing them out further, whether you’re together or you’re apart. Of course, they should do the same for you. When that happens, you can certainly become closer to your partner.

So, what do you think? Do you think dealing with a worldwide pandemic could bring you closer to your partner or do you think it’s more likely to push you apart? In some ways, it depends upon the couple.

If you’re solid, this could be something which sticks you together like glue. If you’re rocky, it could be the thing to push you further apart. It’s really about your mindset and how important your relationship is to you. For many, being forced to spend time apart can make them realize just how much they mean to one another. [Read: How to have hope and stay motivated during the quarantine]

If you’re isolating with your partner, it’s vital that you give each other time and space alone. And communicate about things other than what’s going on. This situation is stressful enough without everything being deep and negative inside your house too.

Keep things uplifting, distract your minds and do something creative together or apart. You’ll find you’re better able to deal with the situation and become closer to your partner as a result.

[Read: Is relationship stress getting to you? How to fix it or get out]

Could dealing with a worldwide pandemic bring you closer to your partner? Don’t worry if you’re snapping at each other occasionally when isolating together. This is completely normal and doesn’t mean everything is going sour!