The most recent relationship fad is to swap out all of the cliché romantic dates and vacation destinations of old for something more unique and meaningful in today's culture—'Choreromance’ (Chore + Romance).
The latest trend is helping couples reach new levels of intimacy as they perform household tasks together, such as folding laundry, meal prepping, and grocery shopping.
Chore romance is also indicative of a broader shift in how couples view shared household responsibilities. According to a 2024 survey by the American Psychological Association, couples who reported sharing household chores fairly experienced improvements in their relationships.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge corroborated those findings, showing that a fair division of household responsibilities is associated with long-term stability in a couple's relationship. In other words, if the couple scrubs toilets together, they will likely stay together.
As choreromance changes the way couples view scheduled date nights and showy forms of romance, it is also providing an alternative to the grand romantic gestures of the past.
Instead, experts have described choreromance as *micro-intimacies*, or small, meaningful shared activities between couples that lead to an emotional connection over time. For example, grocery shopping can become a stress-free way to enjoy time together rather than a chore.
Cleaning dishes can be an opportunity to work as a team rather than just getting them cleaned. Putting together flat-pack furniture can test a couple's patience and strengthen their bond as partners.
Choreromance is slowly becoming a more popular practice for couples around the world. In Japan, for example, long working hours and little/no leisure time have enabled couples to form deeper connections by regularly performing household tasks.
In addition, Scandinavian countries with a long-standing tradition of gender equality have always encouraged couples to share household chores equally as an important foundation for healthy relationships.
Finally, social media outlets are loaded with videos tagged with #ChoreDate or #DomesticBliss, showcasing millions of viewers celebrating what some call "the romance of the routine".
Couples today have increasingly high expectations for their relationships, including emotional labour equality, co-parenting synergy, and equitable contributions to the partnership.
This new language may mean assigning the same level of importance to loading the dishwasher, purchasing a bouquet, or continuing to vacuum the living room to show your partner love and affection through scheduled tasks.
Love is no longer just about the excitement you feel when you see your partner; it can also mean matching grocery lists, scheduling cleaning days, and maintaining an organized, clean laundry closet. Household chores today should be seen as assets to a couple's relationship rather than liabilities.