Upspoken

Are you bored in the house and in the house bored?

Young displeased black couple.American african men arguing with his girlfriend,who is sitting on sofa on couch next to him with legs crossed.Man looking away offended expression on her face.Cropped

Are you bored in the house and in the house bored with your significant other? For some of us, having a quarantine bae is a dream come true and a hot mess for others. Through this uncertain time of isolation, your relationship can experience a period of great growth or stumble into some serious pitfalls. If the health crisis has tested anything, it’s our patience. But don’t sweat it! You already know your sisters at Upspoken have your back with tips to survive your relationship in a quarantine through the good, the bad and the ugly. 

Social Distance Yo-self 
And we repeat: Your 👏🏿 self 👏🏿 care 👏🏿 must 👏🏿 come 👏🏿 first. Sis, you gotta preserve your peace and your magic, which means taking time for yourself. Yup, we didn’t stutter. We’re talking about social distancing yourself—even from your boo. Taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury. It’s essential. From binging on your favorite show alone, to working up a sweat in your living room, getting into a good ol’ book, or relaxing in a warm bath, take some space to revitalize and recharge. 

Keep That Love Alive
While you’re stuck under the same roof, now is the perfect time to get reacquainted with your bae and the things that made you fall in love. Before you roll your eyes, just hear us out! Now that you have time together, find ways to reconnect and cultivate compassion for each other again. Trust us, the same frustrations you’re experiencing right now are probably being felt by your partner too so finding ways to connect and relate is important. You can two-step to your favorites tunes, set up a candle-lit dinner in your dining room, or just chill on the couch and talk long into the night like you used to. And when all that leads to things getting steamy, don’t forget to grab protection that keeps you and your partner’s sexual health on lock. Just remember, this is tough for both of you, and your partner needs more love now than ever, so lean on each other Bill Withers style. 

Chop It Up With Your Sister Circle
Because you’re together all the time now, your boo may have become the person you unload all your mess on—even the stuff that used to be reserved for nights out with ya sista-friends. While you may not be able to get out of the house, with technology you can still connect with your friends. And let me tell you, those other connections can be your saving grace. So, if you’ve been neglecting your homegirls for a hot minute, pick up the phone or click that video link and get to spillin’ some tea. Not only will it be good for your own sanity to talk to someone outside of your boo, but it will ensure the health of your relationship through these uncertain times. 

Set a Schedule
We’ve been in quarantine so long, does anyone even know what day it is anymore? If you don’t, you’re probably on the verge of pulling your hair out, leading to even more anxiety for you and your partner, and your stylist when we get out of quarantine. In this time when everything seems so hectic, that doesn’t mean we can’t have some normalcy in our lives, which starts with setting a schedule. Even giving yourself just a little bit of structure can ease the pressure of being around the same person 24/7. Not only will you get to feel a little more stability, but a schedule gives you a chance to reset with your boo, lay down some ground rules for making sure each person has the time they need to recharge solo and make time that’s intentionally devoted to connecting with each other.