After the rise of COVID-19 and during the lockdown, plenty of information has been written about how this has impacted relationships negatively. Often, the isolation and having to spend all day together in limits space for an extended time have been pointed out to cause detrimental effects.

The fact is, though, many couples have struggled to stay together, even before the pandemic. Having different priorities and existing in opposing worlds that never seemed to aligned were typically the problems.

However, for those that were struggling with fights and arguing, there is now reconciliation. The coronavirus may actually provide an opportunity for couples to stay together, rather than drift apart. It’s a chance for partners to renew their love in a way that they never expected.

Here’s why the COVID-19 pandemic may help couples stay together.

Facing a Common Challenge

When faced with a crisis, issues such as petty disagreements or even arguments seem to just fade away.

For instance, perhaps two partners are arguing over where their relationship is heading. One of them wants to focus on their career, while the other wants to slow down and have a family. Then, an illness or an accident occurs. This event causes a jolt in the relationship, especially for at least one partner. What seemed so important before, such as having a high-end job with a big paycheck, suddenly lacks importance.

It’s these moments that can help couples stay together and refocus back on their relationship. Certainly, COVID-19 has caused just such a crisis and made many couples reexamine what is important to them.

Spending More Time Together

When the pandemic began to get serious and people were required to stay at home, that drastically changed how couples spend their time. Suddenly, millions of people found themselves stuck at home, 24/7.

For many, this meant adjusting to remote work. Others, less fortunate ones, may have lost their employment when businesses closed. In general, though, everyone was spending more time at home with their partners. As mentioned at the outset, that may have caused some friction in certain relationships.

However, on the flip side, whenever you spend a lot of time with a person, you typically get to know them better. This is true when you are at work with colleagues. But it also applies to couples. The thing is, you have to take advantage of that time and be curious about each other. Even if you’ve been together for a long time, there is always more to learn.

Having Common Experiences

One of the sure-fire formulas for a successful relationship is when couples share in common experiences. These moments help bring two individuals closer together in a relationship.

COVID-19 has meant that couples now have to figure out how to spend all that extra time they have with one another. They can’t just go out to the movies or grab a bite at their favorite restaurant. They have to become more creative with “home-based” dates.

That could mean, for example:

• Learning to cook favorite or exotic meals together
• Rediscovering new and fun games to play
• Watching movies or streaming favorite shows in a “theater-type” setting with popcorn, soft drinks, etc.
• Participating in socially distant activities such as hiking or jogging together

Whatever you come up with, these common experiences help you to stay together as a couple, whether or not they are done during a pandemic. Now, you just have more opportunities to engage in them.

Talking More to One Another

Previously, it was all too easy for partners to go through a day without actually talking to one another. You may have woken up at different times, gone to different workplaces, etc. In fact, you were lucky if you could grab 30 minutes at dinner to catch up!

COVID-19 required everyone to slow down and spend time interacting. That opened up time for couples to talk and to have deeper, more personal conversations. You now have the time to explore each other’s feelings about certain issues in your relationship, to see the other’s viewpoint, and to find reconciliation from past disagreements.

The fact is, many couples have renewed their love because of COVID-19, not despite it.

Need Help?

A crisis doesn’t mean that all the outcomes must be negative. In fact, it can be a great opportunity for couples to renew their love and stay together, even if some issues had cast a shadow on the relationship. An experienced couples counselor can be a valuable support during this time. Why not consider asking for professional help.

If you are interested in reconciliation with your partner, please reach out to me. Couples counseling can help you find opportunities to stay together, even during a crisis like COVID-19.