Transitioning from just dating to living together
Transitioning into living with your partner is always difficult, you have to learn how to deal with their annoying habits and terrible cooking, so here’s a guide that will (hopefully) make the journey a little bit easier on both of you.
It’s normal to fight. You and your partner are getting used to sharing the same space that you’ve been so used to having all to yourself; fighting is inevitable. Just let it happen and try not to get too stressed over them, unless they become too common and are becoming a serious strain on your relationship, then you might need to reconsider your decision, or it may be time to realise the relationship is not the best one for either of you to be in.
Make some form of budget together. This is probably the hardest thing about living with someone else, having to share your finances. You have to make sure that it’s an even playing field and you are both paying your fair share. You also need to decide on a budget that suits both your wages, you may have to become comfortable being uncomfortable for this one if your wages are widely different. If one of you is earning a lot less then a compromise needs to be reached before all hell breaks loose.
Make sure the romance is still alive. Plan weekly or bi-weekly dates together, doesn’t have to be anything big or expensive, just a little time together to focus on your relationship. Have a candle-lit dinner or a picnic, go see a movie or even just a walk together through a park will do wonders for any relationship.
Communication is key. Make sure you tell your partner if something is wrong or if something is bothering you. It can’t be fixed if your partner does not know about it so make sure that everything is discussed even if it seems little or insignificant, it can turn into a big fight eventually when every little thing starts to build up. Remind them you don’t like them leaving their laundry all through the house or they have really bad morning breath.
Have a cleaning roster. Or at least some guidelines on what needs to be cleaned. You do not want to end up having to do all the cleaning, or having your partner hold a grudge against you for leaving all the cleaning to them. make sure it’s equal and that you are each responsible for certain jobs. If you cook, they do the dishes, if you clean the bathroom, they do the laundry. Make sure its even and consistent, otherwise your relationship and your house will be a mess.
So there you have it, a simple guide to transition your relationship smoothly from boyfriend/girlfriend to living together. Follow this guide and your relationship should be smooth sailing from the get-go. Share this with you partner, or send to a friend who is having troubles trying to live their partner and help them out.
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