Dating during a pandemic can be difficult, specifically because isolation and quarantine guidelines may prevent a couple from seeing each other frequently. Although relationships have developed to the new tech-savvy world, without a consistent physical presence, dating may become harder, but also can have some benefits.
One of the main things to establish in a socially distant relationship is a schedule and routine. Talk to your partner about when is the best time for both of you to set aside time for each other, whether it be facetime or text conversations. By doing so, it can create a healthy amount of relationship time for both of you. With a schedule, it can give both partners a satisfactory amount of time to communicate with each other, but also gives each other the proper amount of space apart. Additionally, this may help resolve future arguments down the road about one partner not receiving enough attention, or even too much. Routines can help a relationship create a healthy amount of time to stay in touch during this difficult time.
Take this time to further develop your emotional connection with your partner. Being isolated from one another allows you to focus solely on the emotional aspect of dating. This may be an awesome time to further see the compatibility between the two of you. Take advantage of it! Physical attraction is great obviously, and being unable to act on it may be difficult for some couples. But this may be one of the few times that acting on it is not possible, why not build the relationship further beyond that? This could possibly allow someone to truly get to know their partner beyond their dashing looks for the first time.
This also may be an awesome time to get to learn new things about the person your dating as well. The pandemic has brought about major political debates. You may learn what their political standpoint is, and develop a way to respect their opinions if they counter yours. Additionally, by communicating during the virus, it gives you the opportunity to see how your partner handles difficult situations, and it also allows you to learn how to help them through tough times. Politics and optimism may be important to some, and dating during a pandemic is an awesome time to learn new things about one another.
By taking advantage of this time apart, it may open new doors and opportunities in a relationship. Isolation is an awesome time for relationship growth, although it may not seem like it. Working hard on the relationship and connection now may be time-consuming, but in the long run, it may be worth it when things return to normal.
-Ben Nagy, SWC Volunteer