It has almost been half a year since the two of you have been living with each other and we can imagine that it might be beginning to get a little mundane. Chances are that your partner must have started feeling less of a life partner and more of a, we are afraid to say, roommate. And that can’t be good, right?
Well, here’s some food for thought: remember when all you wanted to do was smother your partner with love all day, all night but something or the other kept coming in between? Well, as much as you might rue this pandemic and, of course, the consequent lockdown, this is your window to do exactly that. Clueless about how to do it though? Scroll through:
Spend Quality Time Together
‘You got to be kidding me,’ that must be the first reaction that suggestion invokes in your head right? Well, I have news for you: just like there is a difference between communication and just constant talking, there also happens to be a huge difference between simply cohabiting and mindfully spending quality time together. While both of you might be at home all the time, you are both working a major part of the day. Thus, it is important that out of what remains of the day after your work, you consciously allocate some of that time to your partner.
What We Recommend
- Have a dedicated tea hour.
- Workout together.
- You can also share a book and read it to each other in bed and during weekends.
Arrange Date Nights At Home
Speaking of quality time together, don’t let the relationship rust simply coz you cannot go out and have “fun” anymore. Undo whatever concepts of a date night that you have both held all this while and redefine it for what fits you both the best.
What We Recommend
- Have a candlelight dinner at home. Prepare an indulgent meal, light some candles, bring out your fancy crockery and voila, you’d be good to go!
- A dimly light living room, a huge bowl of popcorn, some coke, and you have a movie night right there.
- Send your partner to the terrace or lawn, buy in some time, and organise a treasure hunt for them at home.
Ease Their Burden
There must have been plenty of reasons why the two of you chose each other as partners. And chances are that life feels a little easier with them around must be one of them. Well, it is during uncertain days like the current pandemic that you need to support each other the same and while emotional support is definitely needed, you can actually help them with their chores as an expression of love and gratitude for your partner.
What We Recommend:
- On days when your partner is feeling too worked up, take up a chore that they generally dread and do it for them.
- Surprise your partner by decluttering their workspace.
- Simply offer to help. Ask them if they need any assistance in anything at all.
Try On Some New Things
Now that you have some extra time at hand, we highly recommend that you guys learn a new skill. The idea is to start a brand new journey together, experience the excitement, and also, indulge in some healthy competition that keeps you both excited about learning new things and life in general.
What We Recommend:
- Learn about a new culture. Divide topics between the two of you. For instance, you can research about cuisine, art, etc. and they can research about tourist spots, lifestyle and so on. Once done, you can both exchange notes.
- Learn a new language and try conversing with each other in the same. You can also watch movies in that language and play silly games as a means of learning.
- Create art together. You can paint or contribute ideas to write an epic story.
Physical Touch
A recent study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology says that simple, intentional gestures of physical touch like hand-holding can reduce the stress hormone cortisol. But then again, we don’t need studies to tell us that, right?
What We Recommend:
- Curl on your sofa, throw in softcover, and watch the downpour as the two of you hold each other.
- Massage each other.
- Gently plant a kiss on their forehead when you see them getting worked up on a stressful day.
- Cuddle! Simply coz it’s the best!
- Have dedicated days for fooling around. On these days, don’t have sex, just make out like the good, old days. You have no idea how quickly this rekindles a lacklustre romance.
Make Them Feel Special
It is like all of us have been stuck in a whirlpool of mundane in the past 5 months or so. Be it a weekday or the weekend, everything feels the exact same. Of course, it’s taking a toll on us all. Earlier working hard through the week or through a small project meant rewards. We’d have a way of celebrating all the hard by either going out or throwing in a party. However, none of that is happening anymore. Well, this is when you barge in and take over the task of celebrating each other.
What We Recommend:
- Celebrate your partner, no matter how small the surprise happens to be. Quickly change the covers and light in some candles while they are in the washroom.
- If your partner is someone who loves receiving gifts then make a purchase for them.
- Cook their favourite dish.
Disconnect To Connect
We have all been confined to homes for almost half a year now, there’s so much happening around the world, and our gadgets are the only means to stay connected and informed. Amid a slew of COVID news, we have all become hypervigilant to every bit of information that comes our way. It’s called doomscrolling and all of this might be wreaking havoc on your mental health, your everyday moods, and consequently on your relationship. We are physically present but mentally lost in our phones and tabs. Thus, it’s very important that we put a check on this gadget dependency.
What We Recommend:
- Do not scroll through your phone while your partner is trying to have a conversation.
- Do not use your gadgets while eating.
- Avoid aimlessly scrolling through social media on weekends and your free time. Do something constructive instead.
- Avoid using your phone or gadgets an hour before bedtime.
Plan Your Life
Now that both of you are at home and have ample time together, this is a great time to communicate your future visions and plan them together.
What We Recommend:
- Make a list of your hopes and aspirations and where would you see yourself 5 years down the line. Ask your partner to do the same and then make a list of how you can make all of that work.
- Spend some time brainstorming on financial and family calls that you need to take as a couple.
- Last but not the least, plan your days during the lockdown.
Lastly, don’t forget to remind your partner just how much you love them!
Featured Image: Unsplash
