Should we isolate together
Feeling some pressure to move faster in your relationship? Many dating couples may be thinking about social distancing together, which may put extra pressure on you to decide to move faster in that relationship than you would have without having to social distance. Here are some tips on how to make that decision.
Should We Socially Isolate - Together?
Ultimately, this is your decision to make, and nobody else’s. You should do what feels comfortable and safe for you. Here are a few things to think about when making that decision:
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Is your dating partner pressuring you? If he/she is saying things like, “if we don’t do this, our relationship is over” or “I’ll just find someone else to socially isolate with”, then that is a huge red flag for someone who at least has unhealthy relationship behaviors. There are several ways to help a budding romance to continue to develop, even over long distance (check out Digital Dating).
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Social isolation is one of the most effective tools that an abuser has to keep someone stuck in an abusive relationship. You will be spending almost all of your time with this person, and privacy will be very difficult to have. If he/she does something that feels unsafe, or might be a red flag, will you have the space you need to feel like you can safely talk to a friend or family member?
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Make a safety plan before. It will be more difficult to communicate safety concerns with friends/family and make a plan once you are around that person 24/7.
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Talk with your partner about boundaries before isolating together. Have a real discussion about structuring in alone time and your need/desire to go on walks and have social time with friends/family.
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Know that you can always leave and go back to your own place, or make him/her leave your place. You can always change your mind in the future. If he/she refuses to leave, call law enforcement and have them do a civil standby to remove him. If he/she doesn’t allow you to leave, refer to the other safety tips.