How Does Isolation Reshape Expectations of Closeness With Partners Back Home?
As many people around the world are currently experiencing social distancing, self-quarantine, or lockdown measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, their relationships are also affected. Couples may find themselves spending more time together than ever before while being physically apart from friends and family. This can have an impact on how they communicate, connect, and feel close to each other. Here's how isolation can reshape expectations of closeness with partners back home.
The Need for Physical Touch
One way that couples stay connected is through physical touch. During these times of separation, this need becomes even stronger, as it provides a sense of comfort and safety.
Being isolated can make it difficult to meet this need. Some couples may choose to Facetime or video call each other regularly to bridge the distance between them, but this doesn't quite replace the feeling of actually being in the same room. As a result, some couples may begin to rely on phone sex or cybersex to fulfill their physical needs. Others may experiment with new ways to show affection, such as sending sexts or leaving voice memos for each other. While this can be fun and exciting, it may not always provide the same level of intimacy as actual touching.
Reconnecting After Separation
When the pandemic ends and couples start spending more time away from each other again, there may be a disconnect in their relationship. They will likely feel closer than ever because of all the extra time spent together during isolation, but this closeness could lead to higher expectations when they reunite.
If one partner starts dating others or traveling without the other, the person who stayed at home might feel neglected or jealous. It takes effort and communication to rebuild trust and intimacy after this type of separation.
Emotional Support
Another aspect of relationships that changes during isolation is emotional support. When people are isolated, they may experience anxiety, stress, or depression due to uncertainty about the future. Couples may feel like they have no one else to talk to except each other, which puts pressure on them to provide emotional support. This can cause resentment or frustration if one partner feels overwhelmed by the responsibility.
Staying connected through social media, texting, or video chats can help ease these feelings of loneliness and give couples an outlet to vent.
New Relationship Dynamics
Isolation can also change how couples relate to each other. Since everyone has had different experiences during this time, they may have different perspectives on things like work, health, politics, or the economy. These differences can create tension and disagreements, even among normally compatible partners. To avoid arguments, it's important to listen to each other's opinions respectfully and try to understand where they come from. In addition, some couples may find themselves spending more time than ever discussing their goals for the future and making plans together. While this can be exciting, it also requires compromise and negotiation to achieve common ground.
Isolation can affect expectations of closeness with partners back home in various ways. Couples who want to maintain a strong relationship need to communicate openly, be understanding, and accept that not everything will go back to normal once the pandemic ends. With patience and effort, they can emerge from isolation stronger and more connected than before.
How does isolation reshape expectations of closeness with partners back home?
Isolation can cause individuals who are temporarily separated from their partners at home to reconsider and adjust their expectations regarding intimacy levels and ways to maintain closeness between themselves and their partner. One study suggests that loneliness during long separations may lead to increased feelings of intimacy when reunited with their partner due to greater appreciation for each other's presence (Wu et al. , 2016).