You’re staying over your partner’s apartment at least three times a week. You have a toothbrush, pajamas, work clothes, and other toiletries there. That’s when it dawned on you two that you are practically living together. So, why not make it official, right? The moment you decide to move in together, you’re letting go of some of the freedoms you enjoyed while living alone. That’s not to say you shouldn’t take this step. If you’re sure about this person, the next best test to pass is to live together.
Hopefully, you are ready for the changes. There are so many that it’ll be hard to keep. From the air purifier each of you prefers to putting the newly-laundered clothes in the cabinets, you are going to make some serious adjustments living with another person officially. But hey, these are tiny things that you can ignore. What matters is you’re with the person you love and adore. Sharing that space and responsibilities might take adjustments but living with someone you love is an upgrade from living alone.
Knowing Each Other’s Schedule
You know about your work schedule before. You might also text or call when you need to go out with your friends. But once you move in together, you should be considerate enough to tell the other person you are going to be late. Don’t let the other person wait for you when you’re not going to come home on time. Remember that someone is waiting for you back home now. It’s not just your dog. It’s the person you plan to spend the rest of your life with.
Clean Up
Whether it’s because your partner is a neat freak or not, you should clean after yourself. Another person lives with you now. Respecting your partner means not leaving your dirty laundry on the sofa, too. It also means closing the toothpaste cap, putting down the toilet cover, and washing at least your own dishes. You can work a schedule together. Plan to tackle mundane tasks every day, but make sure to do deep cleaning of the house once a month.
Be Honest About Finances
Who will pay the rent? How about the utility bills? Inevitably, there’s going to be a talk about your finances. Since you are living with your partner now, you have to be cognizant of the way you spend. Don’t let your partner shoulder all the expenses while you’re out shopping every day. You should at least share in the expenses even though the other one earns more than you. This will prevent big arguments in the future about how you manage your money.
Share Your Friends
You are going to invite friends over. Don’t expect your partner to sulk in the bedroom while you do with your friends what you want to do. Invite them to have dinner with you or play poker or even watch a movie. You’re not only sharing space, but you’re also sharing your lives. If your friends are not comfortable with your partner’s presence, then don’t schedule a series marathon or poker in your place.
Ignore the Wacky Habits
Living together is not a walk in the park. You will see your partner under a new light because you are staying more than an hour or two together every weekend. Above all, there are going to be wacky habits and behavior that may grate on your nerves. Learn to ignore these habits. As long as these habits are not detrimental to your physical and mental health, learn to live with them. Everyone has wacky habits. You may have, too, only that you aren’t aware of them.
Make Time for Yourself
Just because you’re living together doesn’t mean you cannot have time for yourself. If you need to do the grocery on your own, say so. If you want to go to the spa or hang out with your friends, say so. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to spend time alone. Don’t be too reliant on each other, too. You need to have friends outside of your relationship. Otherwise, it will soon feel suffocating to always have to think about another person when deciding what or where to eat or what to do during weekends.
Moving in together is a big step for any couple, even those who have been together for a decade. You should be prepared for all the big and little adjustments you have to make. You have to be willing to sacrifice, too, because making a relationship work involves a lot of sacrifices—both big and small.
