Since the coronavirus has spread all over the world, we have all had to adjust to social distancing and self-quarantining. Due to the “new normal” we are currently faced with, couples around the world have been separated while the government tries to contain this deadly virus. Self-quarantining poses the question of how couples who do not live together cope with this new way of living. Although the physical aspects of a relationship are key, there are a few methods to maintain a stable connection during this time of uncertainty.
My boyfriend and I live about 25 minutes away from each other. While this is a short distance, self quarantining makes it feel farther. It is important to treat your relationships like they are long-distance during this time, even if they aren’t. If both partners are willing to try, long-distance communication isn’t so bad.
Luckily in this day and age, technology can provide us with a simple way of communication. Keeping up with your loved ones is convenient with the benefits of Facetime and Netflix. Face to face communication has never been easier or more available. Something that my boyfriend and I have been taking advantage of is Netflix Party. This is essentially a Google Chrome app that is downloaded to your browser. Once it is downloaded, you can watch Netflix with your significant other at the same time. Both people must have a Netflix account for this to work, but it is worth every penny.
Strengthening communication with your partner is an important factor during a long-distance relationship. Now more than ever it is important to be upfront and honest with your partner. Some of us do not like to spend the entire day texting or video chatting with our partners so having an honest conversation with your significant other about how frequent you would like to communicate is key. If you have a lot of school work to get done during the day and do not have time to watch a new Netflix show with your partner, it is important to communicate that. It’s hard to tell exactly how someone is feeling through technology, so it’s essential to make sure you talk about the different types of interactions you want to have and when. If you are having issues with how you are communicating, addressing these doubts within the relationship can help solve that.
One thing my boyfriend and I love to do is travel. Social distancing and self-quarantining do not allow for this to occur, so we had to get creative with our hobby. In order to keep our spirits high, my boyfriend and I like to plan date nights and trips we want to take after quarantine is over. On Facetime, we google different places all over the world that we eventually want to travel to. Doing this keeps our minds off of our current situation and allows us to get creative with experimenting with different date nights and vacations.
Long-distance relationships can be very difficult during this time of unpredictability. No one knows when we will be reunited with our loved ones. The most we can do right now is utilize the tools we have to keep our relationships moving forward. It’s important to not let the absence define your relationship and to focus on who you are communicating with, not how you are communicating. Being separated by distance can be hard, but its important to maintain that spark to keep the romance alive.
PHOTO COURTESY of Monmouth University
