7 Ways Living Together Will Test Your Relationship

If you’ve been quarantined with your loved one, your relationship has surely changed. If the two of you live apart from each other, you may be wondering when you’ll feel safe seeing them again. Here are some of the normal issues that every couple is going through right now.

  1. You’ll wonder if you’re really happy. Remember the honeymoon phase? You knew you found “The One” and they could do no wrong. These days, you’re probably on the verge of a breakdown if your partner dares to leave last night’s unwashed dinner plates on the kitchen table again. When you’re stuck with someone for so long, all of their bad habits come to the surface. You start noticing them more since there aren’t a lot of other things around that you can pay attention to. Likewise, things can be stressful if you’re away from a loved one. With all of the romantic comedies you’ve been binging on Netflix, it’s hard not to compare your partner to someone completely fictional. If you’re comparing your boyfriend to a Disney prince, he’s sure to lose out in the end.
  2. You’ll be able to see how much attention they have to give you. Everyone is overwhelmed right now. This is a crazy time we’re in and nobody knows when they’ll feel safe. But when you’re living together and it seems like you’re the only one putting effort into keeping things fresh, is your partner really putting as much effort into the relationship as they should? This is a good time to see if your relationship is purely one-sided — and if you’re okay with that.
  3. You can see how they handle a crisis. Part of being a romantic couple is working together. If you live together and share finances, you’re both probably trying your hardest to work together and figure the immediate future out. If you’re struggling to get through to unemployment and they’re spending all their time playing video games, you may be feeling like you’re handling all the pressure by yourself. This may be the biggest crisis we’ve all been through in our lives, but it won’t be the last. The way they react now is likely how they’ll be in future situations.
  4. You can see how much housework is really your responsibility. Personally, I try hard for a 50/50 split. It’s only fair. However, that doesn’t happen all that often, especially now. If you’re both in the same home, dishes are bound to pile up. Rooms are likely going to get dirtier since there’s more foot traffic. Is your partner addressing these changes? They may be stressed out, but assuming you’re both adults, you’ll still need to work together to get it done. By picking up all the responsibilities during this time, you’re bound to grow resentful later.
  5. You suddenly see whether or not there’s long-term potential there. It sounds romantic to share a home with your partner 24.7, but not everyone can cope with that when push comes to shove. You’re opening up a massive compatibility test when you live together for more than just an occasional weekend. If their way of living is stressing you out, maybe this isn’t the best relationship for you after all.
  6. It may test your mental health. Mental health is so important to keep in check and these days, it’s extra tough, especially if you’ve already been suffering. There may be times where you feel like you’re crazy or just want to break down. That makes sense. If things get deeper, you’ll definitely want to talk to your doctor to get help. Still, your partner really needs to show support during this time. If you start feeling negative and they tell you to “snap out of it,” maybe this isn’t the most supportive relationship for you. If your loved one is going through a lot, it’s a good question to ask yourself, as well. “Can I handle this? How can I be as supportive as I can right now?”
  7. You’ll be able to figure out if you’re happier solo. If you’ve moved in with your partner and are finding it way more suffocating than being on your won, maybe you weren’t as happy in your relationship as you originally thought. Everyone needs a break, but this is a great chance to really analyze things. It’s okay to be single. Maybe that’s what you need right now.
Karen Belz is a New Jersey native who is currently living in Maryland. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communication with a focus in Broadcasting and Print Media Studies from Millersville University of Pennsylvania. Since graduating, she has written for sites like LittleThings, HelloGiggles, and Scary Mommy and is currently an e-commerce editor at Bustle.

When she's not writing, she enjoys making her phone run out of memory after taking too many photos of her dog. You can find her on Twitter @karenebelz or on Instagram @karenbelz.
close-link
close-link
close-link