Working from home: how do you stay partners and not just colleagues?

Video calling at the kitchen table while your partner in bathrobe sneaks by. A chat about your work at the coffee machine, now with your husband, wife, girlfriend. And you suddenly see each other throughout the day. From partner to colleague, how do you deal with that?

Maybe now there are the concerns about health, continuation of work, kids hanging out at home more often, and you’re also stuck with that working from home. In the well-known cramped attic spaces and laundry rooms. For many people, we notice, this new routine still takes a lot of getting used to. But also the uncertainty: how long will all this last?

It might help if you know how to deal with that changed routine within your relationship: from office to kitchen table? How do you make sure you are not only colleagues, but also partners?

Keep seeing each other as lovers

Plan regular moments together, completely separate from work. Laptop closed and go to lunch together, prepare a nice sandwich and take some time for that too. Or watching a movie together, taking a walk around the block or a walk in the park or forest. It may be obvious, but keep experiencing those “little” moments with each other, stay interested. Make a gesture toward your partner, make it a surprise. Even though sometimes it’s easier to just crawl behind your PC. And even though now there aren’t those fun outings you used to have together. The movies or eating out, a cup of coffee in town and the weekend getaways.

True, it all takes some creativity, but keep trying your best. At the same time, be lenient with irritations. Retreat to a separate room for a while and close the door behind you. Allow each other that freedom of movement and then find each other again. Be aware of this exceptional period, which therefore also requires more attention and patience from you, from yourselves. Hello tragedy – you have it again.

Could you and your partner use some relationship advice? Then contact our therapists by phone or online.

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