A couples’ guide to surviving isolation

Staying in with your significant other? How to get through lockdown with your relationship intact Orders will take longer than normal to arrive [Find out more]( [The Journal]( | [Click here]( to view online version [Mr Porter]( [What’s New]( [Designers]( [Clothing]( [Shoes]( [Accessories]( [Watches]( [Grooming]( [Sports]( [What’s New]( [Designers]( [Clothing]( [Shoes]( [Accessories]( [Watches]( [Grooming]( [The Journal Header]( [How To Get Through Isolation With Your Relationship Intact]( [Fashion]( [readtime]( [How To Get Through Isolation With Your Relationship Intact]( Words by Ms Lili Göksenin [When lockdown was announced in the UK 384 days ago – sorry, I’m hearing through my headset that the real number is 32 days – we collectively mourned trips to the pubs, dinner with our friends and cuddles with parents and loved ones. Social-distancing measures forced us to learn how to connect in new ways, via video apps and – sorry millennials – over the phone. But as many settled into new routines, I couldn’t help but wonder: what about the couples? After all, even the most connected, communicative couples fight once in a while – and that’s with the daily distractions of work, commutes and gym time. Money, housework and sex (or lack thereof) are three of the most common triggers for couples. These issues are universal. And now? During a global pandemic? When job security is tenuous, we’re spending hours staring at the dust bunnies we’ve never noticed before, and even more time cooped up with the partners we’re supposed to miss a little during the day. Surely, this is a recipe for disaster. As if to confirm my fears, in March, The New York Times ran an op-ed by Ms Jennifer Senior entitled “Welcome To Marriage During The Coronavirus”, with the subhead stating simply: “Remember: Both of you are right.” The piece referenced a study from over 15 years ago in the Journal of Family Psychology that looked at couples in the aftermath of a natural disaster. To paraphrase the results: the fallout of a devastating hurricane had an effect on marriages. More people in affected counties divorced the following year, but also more couples got married, and there was an increase in births. For a lot of people, the trauma of an external force outside of their control was make-or-break time for their relationship…]( [Read more]( [SHOP THE STORY]( [VID1]( [Japan Best]( [Office Desk Set]( [VID2]( [James Purdey & Sons]( [Sterling Silver Ballpoint Pen]( [VID3]( [Smythson]( [Panama Inspirations and Ideas Cross-Grain Leather Notebook]( [VID4]( [Caran d'Ache]( [849 Fountain Pen, Ballpoint Pen and Mechanical Pencil Gift Set]( [VID1]( [Montblanc]( [Leather Desk Tray]( [VID2]( [Dunhill]( [Sentryman Palladium-Plated Rollerball Pen]( [VID3]( [Kingsman]( [+ Smythson Panama Cross-Grain Leather Notebook]( [VID4]( [Ystudio]( [Walnut and Brass Writing Set]( [READ ALL ABOUT IT]( [Latest]( [Read More]( [Grooming]( [Read More]( [Watches]( [Read More]( [Travel]( [Read More]( [Lifestyle]( [Read More]( [Fashion]( [Read More]( [Health in Mind]( [Light Relief Read]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( [YouTube]( [Pinterest]( [Download the app] [Download on the App Store]( [Get it on Google Play]( MR PORTER is a registered trademark of THE NET-A-PORTER GROUP LTD 1 The Village Offices, Westfield, Ariel Way, London, W12 7GF. UK company number: 3820604 To view our Privacy Policy [click here]( unsubscribe [click here]( [Mr P.]