Things To Consider When Moving In With Your Significant Other
Moving in with your significant other is an exciting next step for every relationship. Before making the big decision to move in with your significant other, it’s important to communicate not only the moving process, but the expectations and responsibilities that come with living with another person. Here are some tips to consider when moving in with your significant other.
The Talk
Before moving in with your significant other, it’s important you and your partner communicate if it’s the right decision. Will moving in with one another strengthen your relationship? Do you plan on spending the rest of your lives together? Are you comfortable with the idea of living together, even if you don’t plan on getting married? While some people are open to the idea of living with one another and then going their separate ways, others may view moving in together as a stepping stone to marriage. It’s important that you and your significant other discuss your reasons for moving in with one another in order to avoid heartbreak or a struggling relationship. Whatever your reason may be for moving in with your partner, it should be for the right reason. Otherwise, this decision may result in a damaged relationship and emotional distress.
Finances
When moving in with your significant other, finances must be discussed. Have you and your significant other secured jobs to make an income? Will your income cover the costs of rent, utilities, household necessities, and other bills? Don’t forget about outstanding debts, credit scores, and monthly expenses. These are all financial elements that you and your partner should plan for. If you’re making the decision to move in with one another without discussing how you’re going to cover rent and necessities, you’re planning for financial stress and failure. If you and your partner can’t afford to make these payments or your partner is relying on you to cover costs, then moving in together may not be the wisest of decisions.
Expectations
When moving in with another person, it’s important to communicate your expectations. Are you a morning or night person? Are you a clean or messy person? Do you like to go with the flow or follow a strict schedule? Everyone has different habits that one person may be comfortable with and another may be annoyed by. Assuming you and your partner have the same expectations or ways of living could result in some serious future problems. When discussing your expectations, be sure to listen to one another and be as honest as possible. This will not only give you an idea of what you and your significant other want from moving in together, but it will set your relationship up for success.
Cleaning Schedules
Cleaning can be therapeutic for some people and completely dreadful for others. Despite your feelings about cleaning, it’s essential to every living arrangement. Whether you designate specific days for cleaning or assign everyday tasks, you and your significant other should discuss your cleaning roles. Will you take out the trash one week and your significant other will take it out the next? Are you going to wash the dishes while your significant other puts them away? Who’s in charge of scrubbing the toilet or doing the laundry? However you and your partner decide to split up the tasks, it needs to be a mutual decision. By establishing this early on, you’ll not only be able to set a routine, but you’ll avoid unnecessary drama.
Household Needs
Between paying utility bills or picking up groceries, there are plenty of bases that need to be covered. Are you going to pay the electric bill while your significant other covers the internet? Will you go to the grocery store together or individually? Who’s going to call management if the laundry machine breaks or the sink starts leaking? It’s important to not only discuss the costs of household needs, but to assign expectations and roles as well. Moving in with your significant other establishes a partnership to keep your household in order. With multiple responsibilities to discuss, it’s important you follow through on your end in order to keep harmony.
Spending Time Together And Apart
Moving in with your significant other means spending a lot more time together. When you live apart, you have to make plans to see one another. Whereas, if you live together, you’ll be seeing each other at every turn. It’s important you set aside time to be together beyond kissing each other goodbye when you go to work or falling asleep at night. Sometimes, life can become hectic with work, friends, and other responsibilities. Due to this, spending personal time with your partner can slip your mind. Whether you decide to eat dinner together, go out on a date, or stay in and watch a movie, spending that time with your significant other will keep the relationship healthy and exciting. In contrast, spending too much time together can get overbearing or even irritating. Although you live together, having time to yourself is important too. Spending every waking moment with one another is not healthy and could lead to potential problems. Remember that making time for yourself is not only important to your mental state, but to your relationship as well. Finding that balance will keep you and your significant other at peace.
