You’ve made the bold decision to live together with your partner. You’ve probably realized by now that moving your belongings to a new location is only one part of the process. Other steps include:
• Looking for new accommodations.
• Going through your belongings to decide what should stay and what should go.
• Discuss finances and how much rent you can afford.
• Mentally preparing yourself for living together all the time.
Nexxt magazine has created this helpful manual for first-time couples moving in together with useful tips and advice to make your move a little smoother and less stressful because we’ve been there.
Keep convenience aside
First, consider why you want to share a home. Some couples, particularly in cities with high living costs, move in together to economize on rent, only to find out later that their relationship wasn’t ready for that. While there is no set period that you must be dating before moving in together, you should consider your goals and how much you and your partner share in common, especially if you’ve not been dating for long.
o Before moving in, ask yourself if you know your partner very well.
o Know their relatives and friends?
o Do you two follow any set routines?
o Do you genuinely feel at ease around them?
Set aside time for yourself.
Everyone has unique ways of unwinding, revitalizing, and having fun in their spare time. There will be moments when you prefer to do such activities alone, even if you and your spouse share the same interests; this does not imply that your lover no longer cares about you or is disinterested in you. It implies that everyone needs some alone time occasionally, no matter what the situation. Allow your partner to do anything they want: play video games, paint, watch TV quietly, read a book, or sit and scroll through their phones. Each partner’s individuality and connection to one another are respected in a healthy relationship.
Try to discover activities or hobbies you can enjoy on your own while your partner is recharging enjoying and some me time.
Before moving in together, stay together (like, a lot)
When you start toying with the idea of moving in together, spend as much time at each other’s homes as possible. Spend weekends together, have overnight dates during the week, and take a five- or six-day trip together. It’s impossible to match the connection that develops over these brief stays with conventional dating. You’ll see your mate when unanticipated frustrations arise and when you’re in awkward circumstances. Moving together could be a terrific next step if your relationship flourishes and grows even when you’re not acting your best.
Discuss your most enduring concerns about moving in together
Many people are wary about the prospect of living with someone. They worry that their independence will be lost, their relationship will sour, or they will split up and have to start over. These concerns are very natural. However, before you move in together, it’s crucial to be open about your biggest concerns, identify the dangers, and then create a plan for handling the worst-case scenarios. Sometimes just talking through how you’d handle a split or maintain your independence can help soothe your anxieties and you’ll have a plan if you ever run into one of these problems.
Expect challenges and be prepared to discuss them
After you move in, things will be more difficult. The most important part is acknowledging putting an end to this romantic notion of sharing a home and seeing that it’s just a procedure like anything else. There will be disagreements, and you’re going to get through it.
Talk things out rather than letting arguments and disagreements drive a rift in your relationship when they inevitably happen. There is nowhere for the two of you to run, so communication is crucial. There is no simple way for you to part ways; you have to overcome the problems by discussing them together.