I remember reading somewhere that Paul and Linda McCartney never spent a night apart from each other during the entire length of their marriage. While I don’t know if this is true or not, I think it would be a wonderful goal for a couple.
Still, there are inevitable times when you have to be physically separated from each other. Maybe one spouse is in the armed forces, or has to take an extended business trip or has to care for family far away. Whatever the reason, it isn’t usually easy to be apart. Here are some tips on dealing with the separation without pining away for feeling angry.
1. Keep yourself busy. If you have kids and are used to the support of a spouse, this one will be easy. Kids always generate something that needs doing.
2. Explore a new place. Instead of revisiting your favorite restaurant, bookstore, place to walk, etc., strike out on your own to somewhere new. Think of it as checking out some new options for you both to enjoy when your spouse gets back. This way, you’ll still feel connected to your spouse without pining or feeling too sad. You’ll be excited by what you can tell him or her.
3. Catch up with your friends. If your life has been so busy that you have been having a hard time catching up with old friends, now is the time to do it. Not only will your friends take your mind off of missing your spouse, but they will be a support for you. You can also have fun looking up old friends on facebook and see what their status.
4. Get to those projects. Everyone has projects floating around that we can’t seem to get to because we don’t have enough time in the day. Whether it is writing a novel or reading for pleasure, going through and cleaning out the closets or hanging a picture, now is the time to get some of those things caught up. it will accomplish something and make the time away from each other fly by quickly.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
Related Articles:
The Gift of Unconditional Acceptance
For a Good Marriage, Avoid the Story Telling