COVID-19 put the world on hold, but it seems that love couldn’t be locked down in 2020, with couples stronger than ever post pandemic. eharmony partnered with trusted Australian not-for-profit relationship services provider Interrelate to study the effects COVID-19 had on Aussie relationships and singles looking for love. It appears almost all Australian couples (90%) have remained stable or improved their relationship since the start of the lockdown. The fact that 92% of couples lived together, or moved in together, during the pandemic may make you ask how couples coped together 24/7.
“Quality time is hard to come by in modern society, and the global pandemic allowed couples to spend those moments together that they normally wouldn’t. Often there is no better way to feel connected to someone than to experience life together, side by side.”
“For those in a new relationship, [the pandemic] have accelerated the speed they’re used to or have meant they have had to virtually date and create shared experiences in creative ways. It may have also meant couples had to confront some issues in the relationship that have come into play now that they’re spending so much time together. Therefore openly communicating and prioritising needs, wants and working together becomes imperative.” adds Lovehoney Ambassador and Male Sex Coach Cam Fraser.
Couples with kids also grew more connected, with 45% saying they felt closer to their whole family with their kids home as well, and a third (30%) saying they learnt more about their partner as a parent while they were home together. said eharmony relationship expert, Sharon Draper. “Lockdowns force a degree of closeness on couples that they may not see otherwise. That time together can allow couples to relax and open up to each other, leading to effective communication and allowing each individual to be themselves,”
1 in 10 couples (12%) who have been together for a year or less are now looking to purchase a house together, get married or have babies within the next 6 months.
Single and ready to mingle?
“The pandemic has definitely shifted and altered the way both singles and couples interact with each other and the investment we put into our relationships.” says Fraser.“For singles looking for partners, I think peoples priorities changed and shifted towards more meaningful connections, conversations and also towards having shared beliefs, values and goals.”
He may have a point, as eHarmony says while happy couples shared their relationship joy over Zoom catch ups, Instagram stories and TikTok dances, singles apparently started getting a little jealous. We’ll leave that to you to decide… Their research shows half of Aussie singles surveyed (46%) are open to finding love and meeting the one as the world opens back up again.
As Aussies look to lockdown love, flings may become a thing of the past in Australia, with 4 in 5 singles (80%) now giving casual relationships the flick post-2020. In fact, 1 in 3 (39%) singles are no longer wanting to waste time, looking to settle down with the one as soon as possible.
For those still single, Lovehoney Ambassador and Psycho-Sexologist Chantelle Otten encourages people to emprace those inner thoughts kept in the back of their minds until forced to confront them during the worldwide pandemic awakening. “It’s okay to be feeling differently – more anxious, stressed and less sexy or sexual.” she says “It’s also completely normal if your desire has increased, you’re looking for new connections and spending more time on dating apps – everyone is unique and responds to situations differently. But I would say to allow time for adjustments and use this as an opportunity to explore and connect with yourself. Remember to do things on your own terms – whether that’s reconnecting and prioritising yourself, talking to people you’re interested in or building a relationship – it’s up to you. You never have to do anything you don’t want including meeting up, breaking restrictions or choosing a relationship over a friend or family member for a “singles bubble” position.