You and your partner have been dating for a while now, maybe even years, and you’re deeply in love. You simply can’t stand to be separated from them for an extended period of time, therefore you want to move in together as the next step to strengthening your relationship.
One of the most important relationships milestones is moving in together. It is a true test of your devotion and an indication that you might spend the rest of your lives together. But it’s also crucial to approach it correctly.
According to relationship expert, Jamie Bronstein, It’s important to approach this phase properly because splitting up after moving in together can be distressing, drawn-out, and exhausting. But don’t let that frighten you. Living together can be incredibly satisfying and assist you in laying the foundation for a successful long-term marriage or partnership. With the help of sex and relationship therapist Sarah Trance, we have listed some pro’s and con’s for you to consider before making this life changing decision.
Pro’s
Your bond will get stronger. Living together is not only a wonderful opportunity to build your bond and commitment, but it may also improve the quality of your relationship. Living together can enhance communication because you’ll be forced to discuss issues with your spouse because they’re with you for longer periods of time.
You will have a built-in companion. The days of sending “I miss you” texts are long gone because you’ll be able to spend even more time with your favorite person!
You’ll save money. Living with a partner is far less expensive than living alone. You can now split bills and living expenses.
It’s possible that your level of intimacy will grow. Of course, having more sex is a big plus, but Johnson claims that you’ll also be able to build and explore other kinds of intimacy, like emotional and mental closeness.
Opportunities for personal development will exist. Trance argues that it is always beneficial to learn about ourselves in relationships when we live with someone else, especially someone with whom we have an emotional connection. When you live with someone, you learn about their requirements, triggers, and sore places.
It’s excellent preparation for other significant life transitions. Moving in together can simulate your future life if you intend to marry or have children with this person.
Con’s
You’ll spend less time alone. When you share a living space with someone else, it can be more difficult to carve out space for yourself. As a result, if you’re looking for a place to unwind after a stressful day or an argument, you could find it challenging to do so.
Any issues in your relationships now could get worse. Issues that currently exist in the relationship won’t go away; they will simply be brought to light, and couples may find it challenging to deal with this.
A halt in sexual intimacy could arise. Living together might increase companionship, but it can also lessen the novelty of a relationship, and anticipation and novelty are wonderful things when it comes to sex and intimacy. If couples become overly dependent on one another or into roommate mode, spending too much time together can damage sexiness.
Any significant differences in way of life will be highlighted. Your partner may have been waking you up at 6 a.m. every morning to Amapiano before they left for work because you weren’t aware that they play loud music every time they take a shower. (Don’t relate?) There will be disparities in your lifestyles that you’ll have to negotiate and possibly set boundaries around, such as differing eating habits, bedtimes, or the frequency of your social interactions.
So do what works best for you and makes the most sense for your relationship, whether that means living together or holding out on that step for the time being. There is no one way to a successful relationship.
Also see: Tips to maintain a healthy relationship in the 21st century
