Moving in together is a big step in a romantic relationship and one you shouldn’t take lightly. There will certainly be a lot of compromises when you combine your lives and your belongings. For it to work well, there will be things you will have to let go of and things you should stand your ground on. The trick is finding the level ground that you can both agree on. With that in mind, here are some tips you can use to compromise with your partner so that you can enjoy your new life in the same house.
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Respect Each Other
Obviously, there’s already a level of respect that you share since you’ve gotten this far in a committed relationship. However, living together brings a new dimension to the amount of respect you might need to show each other.
This is true to combining your possessions. Perhaps you don’t love your partner’s artwork or old sofa, but you shouldn’t criticize it and demand that it be tossed. Instead, compromise on what you both get to keep and then meld your most prized items together to create a style, you both love.
You should also respect each other’s space. It will take a bit of getting used to when you begin sharing a home. Give each other privacy and quiet time as you adjust. Be respectful of each other’s time as well. You don’t have to give up time spent with family and friends, away from each other, just because you’re living together.
Shop Together
Maybe you decide together that the items you have don’t work for either of you. In that case, going shopping for new furniture, dishes, or decor allows you to create your own style and choose things together that you both love.
By making your new home your own, you create a new chapter in your relationship and start making memories connected with those objects, rather than collecting each other’s old memories from things you already have.
Consider Sleeping Arrangements
It might sound silly, but if you’re not used to sleeping next to each other all night, this could be a big adjustment. Maybe you like the bedroom warm, and your partner likes it on the cooler side. Perhaps you love a big blanket, and your partner would rather just have a sheet. Whatever you’re both used to, a common bed can be a difficult transition.
For that reason, you might want to consider picking out a split king bed here. This allows you to sleep next to each other, but you can both adjust your side of the bed as you see fit. That includes raising or lowering the head and foot of the bed and controlling the temperature if you choose a model that allows you to do so. This is an easy solution for differing sleep preferences and can take some of the struggle out of bedtime in your new home.
Divide the Chores
Chances are there are chores you don’t mind doing and those that you hate. And your partner probably feels the same way. It’s important to compromise on who will do what tasks around the house so that no one feels like they are doing it all or that they have to nag to get the help they need.
Maybe you like cooking and don’t mind doing the dishes but would rather not clean the bathroom. Divide the chores accordingly so that it all gets done and you are each taking on your fair share.
There will be times when one of you has to do more, but for the most part, try to keep things balanced and fair so that you can grow together in your new home without any anger and resentment muddying the waters of your new chapter.
Lower Your Expectations
When you live together, you’re going to be privy to more of each other’s lives, including bathroom habits and other less than pleasant things. It’s going to change the way you see one another. For that reason, you shouldn’t have unrealistic expectations about it. Know that life gets messy sometimes, and you’re going to witness it from time to time.
Keeping that in mind, you don’t have to put up with disgusting behavior just because you live together. You can still expect the decent manners you’ve shown each other up to this point.
Final words
Moving in together is both exciting and overwhelming. With a compromise plan in mind, you can turn it into a momentous event that you’ll look back with fondness rather than trepidation. Good luck!
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