Mars...or At Least Peaceful Coexistence

There comes a point in most married couples' lives when they are together virtually 24/7. When both have retired and realize that the house/apartment just isn't big enough for the two of them to coexist peacefully, they have to find separate activities that allow some space and freedom. Apparently, "space" does not mean traveling to Mars...at least here.
You've no doubt heard about the planned private mission to send a couple to Mars and back sometime in the near future (meaning"as soon as we can get the money together"). The promoters are looking for a middle-aged couple whose children are no longer living with them and who probably don't plan to have any more children (see...there's this radiation thingie about traveling to Mars apparently). Anyway, a trip like this isn't one would plan through Orbitz, and it probably also requires a couple who is used to being together in a small space. Actually, the promoters first thought of a farm couple since they would be interdependent with accepted roles, lived frugally, could entertain themselves and could repair anything that broke.
While that all sounds mighty fine, there is still the sticky issue of personal space. for advice, we turn to Deborah Shapiro, an Arctic explorer who spent a year in solitude with her husband on a research trip to Antarctica...nine months of which were spent in total solitude (sans cricket chirping). Folks are amazed that they emerged unscathed from the experience, especially since cabin fever in the Arctic has caused at least one death when researchers got in a disagreement over a chess match. As boring as a two-year voyage to Mars only to turn around and come fright back without even a drive-through at Starbucks, Shapiro contends that one "can only be as bored as one is boring."
all that being said, she noted a few things to consider when trying to share confined space with another person.

1. Give the other person "mental elbow room." The ability to keep quiet when close to another person is a discipline she says she leaned. For example, if the other is reading on the sofa, don't plop down and start a conversation. Leave that person alone.

2. Show tangible signs of caring about the other person by being sensitive to moods and concerns.

3. Never belittle the other person...memories are long and can fester into a sooting over a chess match when the real issue happened long ago.

4. Show care for the other person by doing things like alternating cooking days or cleaning days...anything to show that the work is shared.

Great advice for any two individuals who are trying to get along in a confined area...don't see much of that on the prison shows!
Mars is out for me, but maybe you are the person promoters are seeking.
I dodged the proverbial bullet when I applied to be the first teacher in space. No sense taking another chance.