How to maintain peace when a couple is working from home because of covid-19
Ways to maintain peace in the household when both partners are working from home
Like many couples, working from home with a spouse has been a huge adjustment for us. My husband and I are independent. We’re out a lot. Needless to say, that practicing social distancing has been a huge transition for us. After a lot of trial and error, we found that this works best for us.
- Stick to your regular routine as much as possible
The smallest changes in a routine can disrupt a relationship. So even if you’re bunkering down at home, it’s important to stick to your regular routine as much as possible. Having to move your office home is a big change in dynamic so try to keep everything else the same. Wake up at the same time every morning. Get dressed and have breakfast as you usually would. This will help you maintain some sort of normality and ensure there isn’t a clash in schedules for things like shower time.
- Have separate office workers
If you thrive on independence in a relationship, you might want to create space for separate offices. This creates boundaries between work and home life. It also gives both partners space apart. Live in a small apartment? Consider creating designated office areas for each person to work in. For example, I’ve turned the bedroom into my office and my husband has created an office of his own at our dining table. We both dial in for video conferences so it’s important we have privacy and aren’t speaking over each other.
- Buddy up and schedule breaks together
If you’re used to office life, you’re probably missing the social interactions it brings. Schedule coffee or lunch dates with your partner. That way you both have something to look forward to.
- Invest in the emotional piggy bank
When you’re together 24/7, it’s easy to drive each other nuts. Make an extra effort to invest in your relationship. Surprise your partner with a coffee. Make them a snack. These little gestures are like investments to your relationship – you never know when you might need them for a rainy day.
- Get to know each other again
It may be a stressful time but social distancing can actually bring couples closer. Less social engagements and running around for errands might give you some quality time with your partner. There are so many ways to reginite the spark – think puzzles, board games, quizzes like Questions for Couples.
Lastly, have patience and then multiply that by 100. That’s how much you’ll need to maintain peace when you’re living in each other’s pockets. Do you have any times to maintain sanity?
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