I think we have all heard a recently retired couple talk about the adjustments to their new way of life. One thing you will often hear is, “We have to get used to being together all the time.” What they are expressing is a new reality of life together without one or both spouses being away for a significant part of the day. This routine change has come much earlier than many families expected due to the pandemic. Now everyone in the house is “stuck” together, except no one has retired and the nest is not yet empty. This close proximity makes spending meaningful time with your spouse a challenge. What can you do? Here are a few helpful tips for spending time together during a pandemic.
Put it on the calendar.
“What do you mean? My calendar is near empty!” you might object. I suggest this for several reasons. First, it will give you something to look forward to and hopefully generate some conversation as the days lead up to it. Second, if it is not planned it probably will not happen. Even though you are home together, inevitably, things will come up or the night will arrive and you will be unprepared, so plan ahead.
Make something ordinary a little less ordinary.
Try to take the routine things of life and find a fun way to vary them. As an example, make your dinner out of the ordinary in some way. Eat by candlelight, have a picnic by the fireplace, break out your best paper plates and plastic forks for a meal on the grounds.
Get outside together.
Take a walk around the neighborhood or park. Visit a scenic location or just travel the open road. Sometimes a simple change of scenery and a little exercise can help stimulate conversation and refresh the mind.
Do some (online) shopping together.
Think through what you could purchase that would help you spend some more quality time together. Buy a cooperative or competitive game to master, mystery to solve, puzzle to complete, or something to create. Have some fun together!
Read a good book together.
I know reading is not everyone’s forte but sometimes we need outside sources to remind us of the biblical truths that shape our Christian faith, strengthen our marriage or provide insight on how to walk with the Lord. You and your spouse can learn and grow together in the knowledge of the Lord.
Practice praying together.
I find few things in life more unifying than a time of prayer with other believers where we mutually take one another’s burdens before the Lord. What better way is there to relate to your spouse than to spend time together in the presence of the Father?
I hope these few tips stoke the fire of your mind about how you can use this season of isolation to strengthen your relationship with your husband or wife. Undoubtedly, I have barely scratched the surface on the many great ideas that you and others may have already thought about. Let’s put those into practice even this week and show our spouses how much we love and care about them.