6 Ways to Make Living with Your Significant Other Relatively Painless
Written by Melanie Sutrathada
So, you and your significant other have made the decision to move in together! Congrats – it’s a big step that can be so rewarding and exciting. Before you go off and play house though, here are tips for making co-habitation relatively painless.
1. Communicate.
One of the biggest conversations needs to be about finances. Sure, it’s not the most fun topic under the sun, but it is definitely an important one. There needs to be an honest discussion about your financial situation and what you really can and can not afford. This needs to be spoken about beforehand so there are no surprises after you’ve moved in. This is not the time to be coy or shy. After all, bills and rent are not magically paid and taken care of through love. No honey. Landlords take a check (which will hurt your soul to write) that better not bounce. I recommend keeping separate bank accounts for personal purchases and putting together a communal checking account with enough for rent and groceries.
2. Set ground rules.
Be upfront and honest about your expectations so there are no surprises later down the road. If you absolutely cannot stand the toilet seat being left up, let your partner know from the beginning opposed to three months down the line in an angry (and seemingly out of nowhere) tirade. No need to print out a long list of do’s and don’ts for your refrigerator, but setting the ground rules up now will help you both to adjust easier.
3. Divvy up the chores.
No one wants to be stuck with it all (or have to do it ever if we’re being super honest). Still, chores must be done unless you have magical animals who will come and do it for you when you sing (Snow White, anyone?). Maybe you hate doing the dishes and cleaning the bathroom while your significant other doesn’t mind, but cannot stand the idea of even getting close to laundry detergent. Divide up the chores in a way that works for both of you. Not only will this help to keep your home clean and more welcoming, but it will also help to avoid unnecessary arguments.
4. Give each other alone time every once in a while.
You both need space. While you may want to spend every single waking moment in that other persons arms for the first month, it’s important to spend quality time with other people too. Not only is it healthier for you, but it will also make the time you choose to spend together more rewarding.
5. Agree to disagree on some things.
Accept that it will not be perfect and do the best you can. Be willing to compromise and remind yourself that it’s perfectly ok to have different opinions as long as you maintain genuine love and respect for the other person.
6. Find ways to keep the romance alive.
lIt’s easy to spend your Friday nights in front of the tv together in your pajamas. When you’re around each other so often, things can become so comfortable that you settle in to a routine though. However, it’s more important than ever to do something a little different every once in a while. Dedicate some time each week to shaking it up. Maybe get dressed up and go out dancing together or head to a concert. Surprise your significant other with a bottle of their favorite wine or a bouquet of fresh flowers.
Choosing to live together can really make or break a relationship. While it can be scary to jump in, know that you can make it work if you really communicate with your significant other. It’s not always going to be easy, but it will be worth it if you put in the effort.
When Melanie is not working on her fashion and lifestyle blog, Lace and Combat Boots, she spends her time working in pr and marketing, trying new recipes in her kitchen, and singing along to the soundtracks of her favorite Broadway musicals. Melanie lives for anything creative and can almost always be bribed by pizza or pink peonies.
