Survey: 59% of People in a Relationship Say Their Routines Change When Their Partners Aren’t Around

Every couple who lives together has periods of time when one is home while the other travels. Whether it’s holidays, work trips, or vacations with friends, these periods of separation create extra solo time. And we wondered: Do people behave differently when their partners are away?

We surveyed over 1,000 Americans in long-term relationships about how their routines, behaviors, and moods change when their partner travels — and found that quite a few embrace their alone time in some unconventional ways. 

When you’re used to waking up next to your partner, their absence can be jarring, as 59% of survey respondents said their routine changes when their partner isn’t around.

The majority (82%) of those surveyed said they take this newfound alone time to practice hobbies they enjoy, while 44% said they look forward to more time with their preferred tech, including video games or simply prolonged scroll time on social media. 

A productive 43% of respondents stated that they deep clean the house, while 42% noted that they binge-watch TV. More than 1 in 10 said they stop doing chores altogether when their partner is away, with 13% admitting to showering less frequently and 12% relaxing boundaries with their pet — like allowing them on the furniture or in bed.

Most couples have an unspoken agreement about shared TV shows: no watching ahead! But for some, the temptation is too strong. The survey found 1 in 3 men and nearly 1 in 4 women (29% of all respondents) break the pact, watching ahead on shows or movies they promised to watch together. So much for spoilers! 

Another major change among couples left behind is how and when they eat. Over half (52%) said their diet changes, with 38% admitting to eating more junk food. More than 1 in 3 take advantage of their partner’s absence by eating foods their partner doesn’t like. 

Another 35% said they cook less, and nearly 1 in 4 don’t eat at traditional mealtimes. Nearly 1 in 5 (19%) embrace the chaos of mismatched meals — think hummus, cold cuts, and other “girl dinner” staples. Meanwhile, a bold 18% live out a childhood dream: ice cream for dinner.

Whatever their choice of diet changes are, 16% of those surveyed said they look forward to their partner traveling so they can eat the foods they prefer, and 1 in 10 hide these eating habits from their partner. 

Some struggle with their partner’s absence, leading to potentially self-destructive or unethical behavior. Our report found more than 1 in 10 respondents admitted to drinking more alcohol, and nearly 1 in 10 consume more cannabis while their partner is away. Another 12% (15% of men and 8% of women) confess to engaging in vices while their spouse or partner is out of the house.

When it comes to which vices, Americans have a clear favorite: 63% confess to watching more pornography while their partner is away from home. After that, 39% of respondents direct message (DM) people they’re attracted to on social media, 36% watch OnlyFans content, another 36% go clubbing, and 33% gamble. 

Some who admit to engaging in vices also confess that they cheat and use illegal drugs while their partner is away. Of them, 41% look forward to their partner going away so they can engage in these behaviors, and 3 in 5 don’t tell their partner about what they do. 

Is DMing or subscribing to OnlyFans considered cheating? Among respondents who confessed to engaging in questionable behaviors, 44% said using OnlyFans is cheating, and 61% consider DMing people they’re attracted to as cheating.

When a partner is away, a mix of emotions can surface. Some even struggle with their sense of self — 1 in 4 respondents admit they have a hard time maintaining their own identity in a relationship.

While 63% said they look forward to alone time, 58% confess to feeling anxiety before their partner leaves. Roughly 1 in 4 respondents said they enjoy alone time for about a day before they miss their partner; 24% said less than a day and 23% said two days. 

Others truly self-isolate: 1 in 4 said they don’t speak with anyone at all for extended periods when their partner leaves home.

Other frequent emotions respondents highlighted when their partner leaves home include loneliness, sadness, anxiety, and stress. On the other hand, over 1 in 10 (12%) said they are relieved when their partner travels, and 1 in 10 are even happy! 

Every relationship is different. It’s important to take care of yourself and find the right amount of communication to keep you connected with your partner. While every couple needs to strike a balance, communication is key.

In January 2025, we surveyed 1,004 Americans in committed relationships nationwide about what they do and feel when their partner leaves home. Ages ranged from 18-78, with an average age of 38; 50% were men, 49% were women, and 1% were either nonbinary or chose not to disclose. 

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