Marriage obstacles can be difficult on their own when no other global circumstances are hindering it from succeeding. With COVID-19 in full force, it's making marriage stressors more challenging. Our world is dealing with a lot of uncertainty right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fear, anxiety, and panic all around us can seep into our relationships and bring other issues to light. Many people are out of work and are putting their fast-paced life on hold to quarantine. While in quarantine, spouses now have to face some of the problems in their relationship head-on. It can be hard to have to put your life on hold, but with quarantine, now is the ideal time to tackle some of the issues in your marriage. Below, we breakdown a few tips to help you make the most of this time and strengthen your relationship.
The quarantine can be especially challenging to get space from your partner, and give space, but it is possible. If you are open and communicate your needs with your partner, you can set up a schedule that allows you to get the space and personal time you need. Take the time to express your needs and determine what works best for you and your spouse.
A lot of emotions can come to the surface during the quarantine, and by communicating them to your spouse, you can have an open dialogue. If your spouse wants to express their feelings, listen to them, and try to place yourself in their shoes. This is an excellent exercise to do regardless of quarantine, but especially useful now with you and your partner while at home. By listening to your partner, you can understand where they are coming from and also be able to understand your response. You can learn how to show empathy and reflect on what they need.
Patience is a virtue and one of the hardest things to master in an "instant gratification" world. When you and your partner are arguing, it's essential to be in the moment and listen to what they are saying. Be mindful and stop what you are doing, actively listen, and validate the feelings of your spouse. By doing this, you can hone in on your partner's emotions and learn how to navigate disputes in the future.
It can seem like an obstacle with spouses being stuck in the house, but you can turn it into a strength. Both parties have their personalities and traits that can work together to overcome different issues. Use your strengths to your advantage to enhance your bond. It's essential to take advantage of the time you and your partner have together. By doing this, you can work together to find solutions for different areas of your relationship.
Having empathy in your relationship can help you learn more about each other. Empathy mainly comes down to putting yourself in someone else's shoes. By practicing compassion, you can get an understanding of what they are experiencing and feeling. Often, when people empathize with their spouse, they can overcome the issues that are holding their relationship back from progressing or improving.