How are you keeping your relationship alive during COVID?

[ChickyNuggies]

So here we are, almost a year of not normal life. Not many meals out, no holidays, WFH, no cinema, no pubs, no weekends away etc etc

How are you keeping your relationship alive?

We have always had a strong relationship, and still do but I have found us spending more time doing different things, running out of things to say to each other, less sex etc. Basically just become a bit... Flat. I am certain this is due to the restrictions in place as we don't have children so we were both out at work all day and then evenings and weekends were spent doing all of those things previously listed. Now we mostly just stay in out tiny flat and read or play computer games or watch films etc which was fine at first but is wearing very thin now.

Is your relationship holding up okay? And does anyone have any suggestions to inject a bit of fun or excitement?

I think you need a goal to work towards together and / or something which keeps the conversation fresh. We’ve taken up training for an ultramarathon which both gives us something to do together and something to bitch about having to do when we’re not doing it. We’re watching a couple of political and socioeconomic podcasters: our political views differ and this always gives us something to discuss or debate. We previously had a very active social life but have adapted quite well to doing things just the two of us or in a low-key way with a small group of friends. We’re having a lot more sex than we used to because we don’t have to get up so early for work and can hop back to the bedroom at lunchtime.

I’m not sure there’s a magic formula, but I think a positive attitude to the situation definitely helps - we both agree that this is a very weird but very temporary situation and we just need to make the best of it before normal service resumes shortly. Can’t do anything about it, so try and be able to get to the end of it and say “well - it could have been worse, huh.”

Also, evoke your inner child. As adults, we don’t have enough silliness in our lives. Go to the playpark at dusk and try to knock each other off the seesaw. Tell all your favourite cracker jokes over dinner. Go to the supermarket wearing ballgowns - male OH included. These are a few of our favourite things. Remind each other why you get on so well.

Separate training goals (running) so we can do them apart from each other.
Many, many, many box sets and films.
Getting drunk occasionally and sitting in the kitchen rather than the sofa, listen to music and chat.
Cooking together, we both really enjoy that.
Long long lie ins (adult dc). We have breakfast in bed, watch a movie, have a shag.
Long walks, drive to a new route, we've recently discovered geocaching so that's good fun.
Board games, jigsaws if we can be bothered but usually we're content with TV in the evening.
I would LOVE to just go to a pub, no meal included and drink beer with mates though, I miss that so much now.