Will relationships survive COVID

The past year has been full of many negative things, including anxiety, uncertainty, and feelings of isolation. However, intermingled with these were positives, like working from home, sweatpants, and spending more time with those we are close to. Spending time with family and significant others is a good thing, right? Not always! As the world is slowly awakening from quarantine, many are asking if their relationship will survive COVID?

The past year has led to us spending more time with our significant others than ever before. While this might not seem like a bad thing, too much "togetherness" can bring a whole new level of challenges. Before being ordered to stay home, if things became tense or personalities began to clash, there was the option of leaving the situation and getting some space. This was not an option for many, so they were forced to find a new way to deal with this. 

There were also unexpected challenges being thrown at us, including homeschooling and working from home. This can add pressure to parents and others in the home, ultimately leading to more stress on the relationship. Identifying the stressors as they come up and devising a plan for handling them can help prevent stress from building and avoiding issues when they arise. 

What if your relationship did not mean spending time together but rather time apart? This does not mean your relationship is doomed, but it will take some work on both parties involved. Communication is key to any relationship, and when you are forced to spend time apart, special effort must be made to keep the lines of communication open. Setting up regular "dates" either online or over the phone can replace dates normally done in person. Phone calls and emails "just because" can help to remind your partner that while you are not with them physically, they are not far from your thoughts. 

Bottom line, with some work and effort, Covid does not mean relationships have to suffer. The challenges faced over the past year are like none we have seen before. Hopefully, this is a “once in a lifetime” occurrence; however, take the time to appreciate the relationship's growth and celebrate its survival.