Just because you’re spending all your time with someone, that doesn’t mean you can’t feel lonely. And this realisation can be “profoundly sad”. This highlights the difficult communication patterns some couples have. It shines a spotlight on a lack of communication because neither of you have the normal distractions to hide away from this.
Lots of couples are realising that they feel uncomfortable in each other’s company when they aren’t busy doing things. Some couples thrive on being sociable and living hectic lives, but what lockdown starts to show us is that we used these things as a way of distancing ourselves from connecting with our partner on a simple yet intimate level.
The solution: Stop avoiding your partner
Again, it all comes down to being honest and communicating how you’re feeling. This will help you understand whether you are purposefully creating barriers to communication between you and your partner. It’s very common to feel uncomfortable in a one-to-one setting, perhaps you dislike these interactions no matter who the person is. But if you realise you are deliberately avoiding your partner then it might be time to address the issue of why you do this. Relationship issues that cause these barriers are most likely to have been there long before lockdown, but COVID-19 has brought them to the fore. Talking to a counsellor to help you work through these issues will help give you both clarity and feel more confident in finding a positive way to move forward.”
