With the new generation, it has become standard for couples to move in together before getting married. Social media and online dating sites such as Happy Matches have made it easier for people to find partners. Becoming roomies with your better half is one of the ways to know what it feels like to be in a marriage without all the formalization.
Moreover, sharing a home with your significant other tests your relationship compatibility since you can learn who your partner is. When cohabitating, you will see her or his bad habits, have small arguments and know how to share household tasks. Before moving in together, here are some things you need to know.
- Define your personal space.
- Respect your partner’s schedule.
- Share expenses and know what you will eat.
- Keep the living area clean, which will mean you are throwing useless items away.
Below are some things you can learn about your partner and how you relate by moving in before marriage.
Know Your Partner’s Habits
When dating, you often tend to admire the other person because she or he makes you feel great. However, when you live with your partner, you get to see her or his habits. How neat or messy is your partner? Small habits that one may take for granted when living alone like not cleaning hair out of the shower drain will be known by your significant other.
Sharing Household Chores
Most household tasks such as laundry, cleaning, cooking and going shopping that you once did on your own will now have to be divided between the two of you. Sharing these tasks is one way to determine how well you can cohabitate with your partner.
Budgeting, Spending and Saving Together
According to research, money is the cause of most arguments among married couples. Moving in together before marriage enables you and your partner to agree on how to share expenses and save extras.
Learn How to Socialize
Staying together means spending most of your time together. This way you are exposed to each other’s friends and relatives, which enables you to know them better. On the other hand, this can be troublesome if your partner prefers not to have company over. In this case, you can agree on who you want in your home and how often you want them around.
Learn How to Argue and Understand Each Other
When living with someone else for the first time, you tend to disagree on how to carry out specific tasks. However, with time you learn how to understand each other and to try to settle on a neutral decision where each of you will feel heard and respected. Do not outdo your better half by trying to show him or her you are better. Instead, work to complement your partner.
See Your Partner at Her or His Worst
Cohabitating with your partner will offer you an excellent chance to find how angry, down or happy he or she can be. If you can handle and accept him or her at the worst moments, then you know you will make it together to happier times.