China reported quite a high number of cases of divorce after the quarantine restrictions were lifted owing to the coronavirus pandemic. The reason behind this might be the extended time couples have to spend with each other indoors. Who knew that spending more time together can be detrimental to one’s marriage? It’s not the spending time together that became a catalyst to these divorces. It’s the not-doing-anything-fun together that turned these relationships sour.
Michelle and James have been together for 12 years. Before the pandemic, they made it a point to go out and have dinner at least once a week. Just the two of them, yes. They go to the gym together. They’re so busy with their own careers, but they find time to do some fun activities. But all these were impossible during the quarantine restrictions at the height of the outbreak. Since they cannot spend time outdoors, they were stuck at home, not knowing what to do with each other for the first time.
So, they fought and fought. They argued about everything until Michelle finally suggested that they do the same things they were doing before. Only now, they have to do it in their homes. They set up a home gym and installed a retractable patio awning for that al fresco restaurant vibe. This way, they can still work out together and have those intimate dinners they used to love doing.
Yes, you can still have fun even with the quarantine measures in place. Who said to throw romance out of the window? But aside from that, it’s important to give each other a “me” time.
Drive-thru Dates
Do you still remember when you were teenagers, and you just learned how to drive? Don’t you love doing errands for your parents, such as buying food from the drive-thru? One of your teenage dates has to do with driving thru a fast-food chain, hanging out at a spot overlooking the city, and munching on French fries.
This is the perfect time to relive those days. Go for a drive-thru and pick your favorite burgers. Then, hang out somewhere in your car. Even a parking lot will do. The change in scenery is welcoming.
Drive-in Cinemas
For years, people forgot about drive-in cinemas. If the pandemic didn’t happen, the world would’ve forgotten all about it. Drive-in cinemas are great for social distancing. You don’t have to mingle with the crowd. You’re safe inside your car, and you can munch on as many bags of popcorn as you want. What’s not to like? Check out some local drive-in cinemas and reminisce about the good old days when these were still trendy.
Prepare a Gourmet Breakfast
Breakfast is, indeed, the most important meal of the day. Why not make it extra special by preparing it gourmet-style? Whip up some pancakes from scratch and top them off with whipped cream and fresh fruits. You can also have hash browns, sausages, bacon, and other breakfast staples on the side. Make sure to plate it as a chef would do. Get ready to spend at least an hour before the day starts officially.
Go for a Picnic
This is just like the drive-thru date, though you can choose a good spot unfrequented by people. It could be a secluded spot in the park. As long as it’s safe, prepare a picnic basket with some meals you prepared yourself. Or you know? Even meals you picked up from your favorite restaurant is going to be a welcome change. Spending time outdoors will do you good.
Give Each Other Time Off
The best thing you can do is to give each other time. Your partners might not realize you need to spend time apart. Make sure they understand that your need for time for yourself does not mean you don’t want to spend time with them. But with the stress of the pandemic weighing you down, it’s important to focus on your mental health, too. If you feel like having a walk by yourself, do it. Give your partner the same consideration. Everyone needs some time off from this mess.
So far, the pandemic caused lives, livelihoods, and economies. Don’t let it affect your relationships, too. Learn how to connect virtually. Learn how to make small things matter even if you are staying home. There is so much to learn in this pandemic, and one of which is to make each moment count. It’s the simplest things that matter when you have nothing to hold on to but your health. So, be grateful and do all that you can to let your loved ones know-through small fun dates-that they matter.
