Before heading on to the facts, make sure both of you are on the same page about moving in together.
Moving in together is a huge step, and a long-lasting commitment, so if you’re not 100% sure you want to take this step, it would be better to wait a little more. According to Nicole Miller, MS, LPC, NCC, a psychotherapist who specializes in relationships and life transitions, “Typically a request from a partner to move in together symbolizes a significant level of commitment to the partner and the relationship.”
Before rushing into moving in together, have an open conversation, and make sure you’re not doing it just because you feel pressured by your partner, your family, or other factors. An open discussion is needed because maybe one partner considers the moving in the final step that will eventually lead to getting married and having kids, while the other might see it as a long-term cohabitation without wanting to take things any further.
It’s important to find if you’re both on the same page about moving in together, instead of creating false expectations and having to suffer later on. According to Miller, if you manage to discuss what you both want and expect from moving in will lower the likelihood f conflicts and fights in the future.
Read on to discover what to expect when moving in with a significant other for the first time!
1.Communication.
After moving in with your partner, it’s more important than ever to communicate about the things you like and dislike. Don’t let the little things pile up (your partner never washes the dishes, they’re never on time, they forget to do what you asked them to) because you’ll end up more frustrated and it will be harder to make things right.
According to Miller, communication means expressing your feelings, your needs, your expectations, but also making sure you’re taking into consideration your partner’s needs because you can’t have it only one way around.
The good part about living with someone is that you’ll learn a lot about both yourself and your partner. You’ll also learn that not every small inconvenience has to lead to a large-scale conflict. Additionally, you’ll find that every problem can be solved is treated calmly and peacefully by communication with your partner.
