Relationship Advice for New Couples
When the lockdown was announced, couples were forced to make a big decision: move in together or face the consequences of separation. Many couples made the former choice and fast-tracked their relationship to the next level even though this might not have been something they would have considered for weeks or months, coining the term ‘turbo relationships’.
Turbo Relationships Are Working!
It turns out that making that premature milestone, ignoring the relationship advice from friends or snarky remarks from family, has actually worked! Dating sites like eharmony and Relate have found that new couples that moved in together are feeling more committed than before and now know they want to spend their lives together.
Why?
You’ve probably found this yourself when you live with friends or family members, you reach a stage where you talk to each other constantly about anything and everything, providing the opportunity to learn about your partner’s life experiences, childhood and dreams. Relationship therapists and experts are explaining this through the fact that these couples have been able to get to know one another’s interests and personalities better as well as taking their sexual relationship to new heights.
You've been there for each other
It has also meant that whilst struggling with the impact of the lockdown, experiencing stress, loneliness or even just feeling a bit down at times, you’ve been able to see many different sides to your partner and you’ve been able to help one another out of the low points, solidifying your bond.
You've been a priority
Before lockdown, our lives were filled with other commitments - family, friends, work, hobbies. However throughout lockdown, many of these pressures have been eliminated or reduced with people working from home, unable to see their friends and families and no longer having the option to attend events or activities. There have been virtually no distractions and there’s been no pressure to do anything but spend time with one another.
You've helped each other out
Some couples have realised that living together eases some of their daily stressors, having somebody there to make dinner when you’re busy with work or too tired to cook, sharing the cleaning duties or taking it in turns to do the shopping as opposed to doing everything yourself. This also reveals a compassionate, sensitive and understanding side to a person, increasing attraction and enabling yourself to view them as a possible long-term relationship.
Will Turbo Relationships Continue to be Successful Post-Lockdown?
Obviously this will depend on the relationship and the way they re-enter their post-lockdown lives. One way to look at it is that solid foundations have been laid throughout this time, providing more strength and stability to navigate their way through later obstacles. New couples now know that they either were or weren’t ready for that next stage of the relationship and adjustments can be made if needed. They also made it through one of the most unprecedented and difficult times in recent years which has to provide some confidence.
Relationship Advice
One of the most important pieces of relationship advice I give to clients is to make time for one another. Building and maintaining a relationship takes time and effort. They need to see each other regularly and be present during these periods. Throughout lockdown, many couples will have realised how lucky they are to have one another and also, how much they’ve enjoyed spending their time together. This means that going forward, couples might choose to spend time together rather than seeing friends every weekend, and making the most of their evenings together rather than working late and checking their emails constantly.
For those turbo relationships that have used the lockdown as an opportunity to learn about one another, value and appreciate each other, and have genuinely enjoyed spending all of their time together should definitely feel confident heading into the next chapter of their lives.
Time will tell.
