Are you working from home?

A few points to remember to save your marriage😇 

I know the topic may make you wonder! But it is indeed taking a toll on the married life of a few people. Living so many years with your spouse was easier than it is now. The reason is he (or both of you) was out for work the whole day and the time spent together was less. As you all know, too much of anything reduces the perceived value and you used to wait for the time when you both will be together after a long day in the office.

The need to exchange details of the day and feeling closer was much desired by couples. 

Now since this new culture or I should say compulsion of Working from home has emerged, new problems and misunderstandings are also being seen in many households. It can be really challenging to suddenly be under one roof 24/7 when you are used to being apart for many hours a day or many days amonth.

Let us discuss the pros and cons of “WFH “and how to save your marriage while you are working from home.

When it started in the early 2020s, many people were happy to get more time for themselves. They were satisfied with a flexible schedule as it allowed for more control over their work life. They believed that they can achieve a much better work-life balance working from home.

I hope all of you agree with this and for the time being, it worked for everyone. Slowly when it started being a new norm, many started feeling claustrophobic. Especially people who were travelling a lot due to their work commitments. Staying home, in the same environment with spouse 24/7…  persistent proximity triggered new problems in relationships.

According to the survey, eight days is the longest the average person says they could work from home in a shared space with their partner before tensions shoot up.

 What’s more, on a lighter note that one in three, currently working from home don’t shower or bathe every day and 15% don’t even bother to change out of their bedclothes. 😜

In such a scenario there are some rules to follow to survive your marriage: It hardly matters if you are sharing the same room for work or are sitting in the next room just a few feet away from each other. (For working couples)

Now as the commute is a thing of the past you have to decide when your day starts. Wake up at a mutually decided time and have some” me time” together during which you can have coffee, have breakfast or get ready together at a relaxing pace.

You can work out a work from home fitness routine where both of you can decide when and who will work out without disturbing the other one, especially while on a video call.

Make a daily schedule with your partner as when your meetings are so that you won’t get disturbed during zoom meetings.

If there is no meeting, agree on playing some nice music to cut through the silence.

You can take breaks together but make sure you are not interrupting your partner.

To avoid that you can schedule a break beforehand.

The best thing to do is figure out where each of you will have your workspace and separate. It is ideal to have your own workspace that both of you can call yours. Even if you are doing it at your kitchen table. It will give comfortable space and a friction free environment to both of you.

Practising a few things will make your home like a co-working place instead of a battleground. 😄

If it is just  one of you who is working from home, it’s a good idea to create some physical space between WFH employee and the rest of the family. If possible try to stay on different floors if not keep the WFH person behind a closed door. 😇

Keep the kids away from the WFH person as much as possible but remember they are still kids.

Designate a daily routine when things can be really loud and everyone can feel alive. Life can be noisy. Don’t try to become a ninja and make your home like it was before your partner started WFH.

If you love playing music while cooking or cleaning you can still enjoy that, just buy a pair of earplugs. It will not make the sounds echo house-wide during his work hours.

You(wife) should be mindful of kitchen noise while the husband is on a phone meeting. Try to keep it to a minimum or wait for half an hour.

Life can get monotonous while both spouses are home 24/7. It can devoid your married life of the romance and courtship a marriage thrives in. However, if you put some effort it can be managed easily. Have lunch together whenever possible and keep your office-related problems or conversations aside while with you significant other.

Don’t unnecessarily burden your wife with always demanding something or else as she is already coping with your presence and compromising on her privacy the whole day.😄

On a lighter note don’t try to get your wife angry as you are home and are dependent on her for everything you need. Be calm and don’t let her go insane. 😂

Have date nights like you used to have pre covid, don’t mind if it’s in your backyard; so at least both of you will get ready and feel the romance.

Lastly a few advantages for wives who are making adjustments while their spouse is working from home. Now that he is around all the time you can have some flexibility in your daily routine also. If you feel sick he’s there to take care of you and noisy kids. When you are not in a good mood he can help with household chores and can be a soundboard and safe place to vent.

So, enjoy it. It may take some time to find your WFH groove, but it’s definitely possible to find it and make it work for you.😊😊

None of the blogs or opinions expressed within is meant as advice to you or anybody else on any matter, including but not limited to, personal finance, health, or other matters of life. If you need advice, speak to a professional!