I wrote about how couples can drive each other crazy with their annoying or quirky habits in a recent post, but I left out the fact that our spouses can also drive us crazy when we see too much of them. Everyone needs alone time, but while finding solitary moments can be hard when you live with your spouse, it’s certainly not impossible.
Here are five ways, excluding work, that you can get away from your spouse and maximize brief moments alone:
1) Run an Errand Solo: Go grocery shopping or do some laundry—that’s at least an hour and a half that can lead to some thinking and self-bonding!
2) Go to the Gym: At home workouts are convenient, but they can also be awkward. Picture yourself doing random “dance” moves in your living room when your spouse walks in. Most likely they’ll laugh at you, make fun of you or start striking up conversation about what you’re doing. Even if they keep it moving without disturbing you, your mind will wander to what they’re doing or thinking. Either way it’s distracting, so get out and get your adrenaline rush in peace.
3) Lock the Bathroom Door: Don’t get caught up in the trap of talking to your spouse while you’re on the john or in the shower. Take that 15-20 minutes for yourself and pretend that you’re relaxing in your own oasis.
4) Get a House Cave: “Man caves” are a popular concept, but everyone should have a favorite room in their home where they can go and chill. If you have the space, then dedicate one room to yourself and decorate it with everything you like; if you don’t have extra rooms to dole out like that, just go to a spot where you can think, read or just be alome. If they’re in the living room, you head to the bedroom. Simple!
5) Take Up a Hobby: Sign up for a painting workshop, a dance class, a film course or something else that piques your interest for the sake of your personal enrichment. It could be on the weekend or a class after work, but whatever you choose to do…don’t do it with your spouse.
Mr. and Mrs. Rocque are the couple formerly known as Anslem Samuel and Starrene Rhett, New York-based journalists who found love in between bylines. Follow the newlyweds’ musings of a marriage in progress here, on Twitter and via their joint blog.
