Getting to the point in a relationship where you’re ready to move in together can be great. You get to spend more time together, make decisions together, get that puppy you’ve always wanted… But living together can also be super challenging. Who does what chore can be a source of contention, those endearing quirks can start to become grating, and even what kind of dinners you cook can turn into a fight!
Still, with a little communication, living together can be a wonderful decision that enhances both your lives. To prepare yourself for what’s ahead, here are 13 things that change when you move in together:
- You stop eating like a bachelor(ette)… The days where you come home and reach for a packet of ramen noodles are going to be fewer and fewer. Now that there’s two of you, it’s time to start making proper meals! Or, you know, at least order a pizza.
- … But you also start eating more in general. Studies have shown that women tend to pick up bad eating habits when they move in with their partner. Which may explain those extra few pounds you’ve been carting around…
- You’ll sleep differently – and not just because you’re sharing a bed. Always been a night owl? Well, that’s going to be tough when he’s up and ready to go at 7am!
- You both have different cleaning duties. In a 2014 cohabitation study, cleanliness was cited as the number 1 hurdle couples had to overcome after moving in together. The problem is that one person is usually cleaner than the other, so it’s important to talk about who does what household chores as to avoid any conflict. And yes, it does means not living in your own filth for weeks on end.
- Sex. Yes, it changes. Some people say they get more, some people say less. It really depends on your chemistry, communication and priorities. In general, the great thing about moving together is that sex can happen whenever and wherever (within your home) that you want!
- TV is finally good for you! Did you know that watching TV together can make couples closer? Well, it’s true! Depending on the genre, of course. Comedies are great for sharing a laugh together and therefore helps create a stronger bond between the two of you. Dramas can ignite interesting topics of conversation. And deciding on what to watch actually works as training in terms of negotiations within your relationship. So now when you feel guilty about watching OITNB you can tell yourself it’s for the good of your relationship.
- You don’t text as much. Because, well, you don’t have to! You can just walk down the corridor to say hi! When you do text, it’s much more about day-to-day tasks, like who’s going to pick up the milk or what time you’ll be home at, then it is about anything intimate.
- Flaws start to get super annoying. Remember how you used to find his little quirks endearing? Well, now those same cute habits are super annoying. It’s time to learn to love them all over again!
- There is no privacy. Not even when you poop.
- Your inside jokes take over your entire conversations. And most of it is weird cutesy talk that you’d be embarrassed to tell your friends about.
- You know each other’s bathroom habits inside out. When he disappears for 30 minutes, you know he’s in the bathroom. It’s a great opportunity for you to get your manicure done!
- Dates are less fancy. There are a few reasons for this. It could be that you’re budgeting for bigger things (like buying your very own place!) or because you have less desire to impress each other. Either way, dates become much more about spending time together than they do about how much money you’re spending.
- It’s harder to surprise each other. Because you both live under the same roof, you know each other’s routines, and each other’s habits, weird behavior because super easy to notice.
