Have you gotten tired of your spouse while isolating with him or her during this pandemic? Please tell me I’m not the only one!

A few days ago I overheard Pearson talking to his mom on the phone. He mentioned that so many people are having such trouble with being isolated during this pandemic. He said that he actually enjoys working from home and his mom said “yeah some people *like* being home alone.”

I wanted to add “but he isn’t home *alone*.”

You see, I am one of those people who likes being home alone. In fact, I made the choice to stay home and work on my blog and freelance full time when we moved here. As opposed to finding a job outside of the home.

Before this pandemic I was home alone for most of the day. I would run errands and see a couple Rover clients here and there. But I even did those things by myself.

Pearson, however, is very extroverted. He needs to talk to people during the day. Whenever he gets home from work he talks my ear off for an hour before we can do anything else. On days when he is super busy at work and doesn’t get to talk to coworkers very much, it’s even longer.

Related: Marriage DOs and DON’Ts During a Pandemic

So now that he’s working from home, I’m his only form of human contact. At least in person. So sure he enjoys not having to go into the office! He doesn’t have to wake up so early. His desk is in the next room. He can take a break and play his guitar any time he wants. He works in his pajamas. His lunch is just a few feet away in the kitchen. He doesn’t have to gown up (put on the whole bunny suit) to go into the fab. AND he still has somebody to talk to in person every day.

For me, on the other hand… My whole routine flipped upside down. In a bad way. As soon as everything shut down I lost most of my Rover clients. Plus I’m definitely not running errands nearly as much anymore. My weekly women’s Bible study started meeting online. I stopped going to the gym. AND now Pearson is home 24/7.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love that man to death!

But sometimes this introvert needs her own time to herself, you know?

Related: How to set Healthy Boundaries During The Coronavirus Pandemic

Thankfully, I’ve figured out some things I can do to stay sane when Pearson starts to drive me crazy. And I thought I’d share them with you.

What to do When you get Tired of your Spouse During Isolation

ONE || Communicate your needs

It’s super important that you communicate to your spouse why you’re getting annoyed. But try to do it in a loving way. You two are totally different people so maybe they don’t value their alone time as much as you. Therefore, they might not understand why you need it. I constantly remind Pearson that it’s not his fault and it’s not that I’m trying to get away from him, specifically. It’s just my personality. I need a little privacy during the day.

Related: Why Communication Is So Important In Marriage

TWO || Listen when they communicate

Communication is a two way street. The world is a new and strange place these days. You’re both learning about how you each handle this situation. So when your spouse tells you they need something or that you’re annoying them in some way, don’t take it personally, get defensive, or jump to conclusions. Try to see things from their perspective and respect their needs.

THREE || Get away every day

Make it a point to get out of your house at least once per day. Whether you go on a solo walk, drive around aimlessly blasting your music, or read on your porch, it’s important to get away. Sure you could get some alone time by locking yourself in your bedroom or taking a bubble bath. But you’re already stuck in your home all the time. Get out for your alone time!

FOUR || Take care of your physical needs

Sometimes you need to take a nap. Sometimes you need make yourself shower and change your clothes. Endorphins from moving your body can improve your mood. And often putting on a little makeup and fixing your hair makes all the difference. When you start to feel irritated toward your spouse, check to make sure you’re taking care of yourself.

Related: When your Self-Care Routine looks Different

FIVE || Let the little stuff go

Yes this pandemic has been tough for everyone but sometimes we need to check ourselves. Once you’ve done all of the above things, maybe it’s time to reevaluate what’s bothering you and decide if these things really matter. After all, you’re healthy (hopefully). And safe. You have a roof over your head and a partner who loves you. Is it really such a big deal that your husband interrupts your work just to say hi or that he keeps clearing his throat all day? Nah. Not really.

Have you gotten tired of your spouse yet during all of this isolation? What are some ways you’ve dealt with it?
Thanks for reading!