Forced into a long-distance relationship during lockdown?
Bekki Ramsay has you covered with six virtual date ideas. Netflix and (actual) chill, anyone?
By Bekki Ramsay
If lockdown has left you in a now long-distance relationship, then – like me – you’ll know just how hard it is not being able to see your loved one in these testing times.
In fact, seeing my boyfriend in the flesh has become such a distant memory that I am now wholeheartedly convinced that this year, I’ve seen the local Hermes delivery driver more times than my boyfriend. Although, to be honest – ASOS is the second love of my life.
All jokes aside – there’s no denying that these are testing times for even the most stable of relationships. That’s why it’s incredibly important to put extra effort into your relationship during these unprecedented times. As well as openly communicating your feelings, you should also be trying to put the ‘fun’ into one of the fundamentals of a good relationship: spending quality time, together.
That’s why I thought I would share some of the tried and tested virtual dates both my boyfriend have enjoyed together. But don’t worry, even if you’re not in a relationship – these are all fun activities you can act out with your friends or on a virtual date.
Netflix and (actual) chill: Have a virtual watching party in your PJs
Well, it turns out that Netflix have beckoned all of our box-set calls and created ‘Netflix Party’. This Google Chrome extension allows two computers to watch a TV show or movie together, whilst adding a messenger section to the side. As one of my boyfriend and I’s favourite pass-times, we’ve done together and enjoyed it a surprising amount.
We’ve watched TV shows we’re both interested in ‘together’ but we’ve tried taking it in turns to pick something to watch together – which means I’ve been watching a lot more documentaries than I normally would, and he’s certainly watched more chick-flicks than he’d care to admit.
Take a trip down memory lane (together) and create a playlist of ‘your’ hits
Speaking of chick-flicks, remember all of those romantic movies in the ’80s/’90s where the guy would make mixtapes for their loved ones? Well, now’s your chance to make a cute and clever playlist for your partner.
If you have an online streaming subscription to Spotify or Apple Music, you could make the playlist on here before clicking the ‘share to’ option.
Need inspiration of what to add? Think of songs that remind you off them. Add any newly discovered songs that seem up their street. Heck, you could even add songs you know will make them laugh.
You could even go as far as video-calling each other as you listen to the playlist together for the first time and see how their reaction plays out. In fact, you could even combine this and the virtual ‘happy hour’ date night together. Go on – why not make the most of it?
Get merry and make cocktails together via a virtual ‘happy hour’
Now that we’re almost two-months into lockdown, you’ll no doubt have hosted or joined some sort of online video conversation with your nearest and dearest. But the real question is, have you got merry together over homemade cocktails?
If the answer is yes, go you – you’ll know how fun it is! And if the answer is no, then I’d definitely recommend it. You could even use this exciting date-night as an excuse to get out of your dreaded joggers and instead, into something more glam, too.
Use lockdown as an excuse to uncover your other half’s love language
Did you know that people like to give and receive love in a specific way? Known as the five ‘love languages’, these describe the way we feel loved and appreciated. Depending on our individual personality types, we may feel loved differently than how our partners do.
For example, the five types are: words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time and physical touch.
So, why not use this spare time to individually complete the quiz and uncover your love language? Knowing your partner’s love language can help you show them love in a way in which they enjoy the most – but also uncovering your own will help them understand when you are being loving towards them.
For example, my love language is ‘giving/ receiving gifts’ so that’s how I show love, whereas my boyfriend’s love language is ‘words of affirmation’ so he likes to say nice things and hear them back.
After you’ve both taken the quiz, you could even talk about the results and introduce these love languages into your relationship habits. If your partner appreciates ‘receiving gifts’, why not surprise them with something in the post?
Look to the future and plan your next trip together
If lockdown is getting you well, down, why not use spend a night planning your next couples holiday? You could decide which countries or cities you would like to visit before building a bucket list of things you’d want to do once you’re there.
You could even go as far as looking at accommodation in the area or if you’re a foodie – uncovering the best brunch spots and dinner destinations.
Not only is this an exciting way of passing time but it’ll give you both something to look forward to, whilst reminding you that this current period will eventually pass.
Test how well your partner knows your taste buds with a takeaway
If local restaurants are still offering delivery services, then why not spend one night ordering a take-out for each other? Not only is this a cute way of testing how well your partner knows your taste buds, but you’d also be supporting a local business in these testing times.
How far you take this is totally down to you guys. You could make your partner choose from a specific restaurant or if you’re feeling adventurous, leave every decision down to them – well except the timing. We all know there’s nothing worse than not knowing how long your tea is going to be.
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