10 Ways To Keep The Love Alive When Shacking Up

If you’ve been with your partner for a while or even for a short period, you guys may have come to the point where you want to take the next step. And you won’t only be having a shelf for your toothbrush and an extra change of clothes. Shacking up is fun, but it isn’t a game of playing house either.

You guys will be sharing a living space together. Now, if you’re always at your partner’s house anyways, this may not appear to be a huge adjustment. However, it really is.

Remember when you would have a fight with your partner and not talk for a couple days? Yeah, that’s not going to happen, especially when you guys are living together. If you’re used to having your own space, this is going to come as a slight shock. But, before you pack your things and run to their place, you should consider some things before shacking up.

# Is this really what you want?

If you’re moving in together because you want to save $100 a month, well, I advise not to do that. Listen, moving in together to save money isn’t going to work. I did that and now I live at home with my parents. See?

Don’t be cheap. Move in with someone because you really like them. You’ll also have a better experience and won’t have to tolerate their annoying habits just because you need to save money.

# Where will you be moving?

I don’t want to make it sound like there are some power moves, but if you’re moving into your partner’s place, well, it’s their place. So, if anything happens, you’re out.

If you decide to move into a new place together, one person won’t have a slight advantage over the other. I know it’s a sad thing to think about, but when people break up, they can turn into assholes. Your partner isn’t an exception.

# Set some ground rules

If your partner is inviting their friends over every night to watch a TV series or some sporting event, that’s partially your fault for not laying down some ground rules.

You and your partner need to create some boundaries that respect each other and your home. So, sit down and make some ground rules together. It’ll also save you some useless arguments in the future.

# Are you down with their pets?

If you don’t like cats and they have 12, well, let me tell you something, they’re not getting rid of them. So, either learn to live with the 12 cats or don’t move in. Also, don’t expect people to get rid of their animal friends to make you more comfortable.

# Keep some things a mystery

If you’re a girl, your boyfriend may be curious about how you use a tampon. But here’s a cool thing, he can use Google. Fellas, your girlfriend may want to know how you shave your balls without butchering them. She doesn’t need to view you while you manscape. Why don’t we keep some things a mystery?

# Figure out who’s paying for what

You need to figure this out before you even step foot into your new place. Who is paying what and when? This is crucial. Also, if someone makes more money than the other, how will the costs be divided? Figure this one out right away and get any misunderstandings ironed out.

# What will happen if it doesn’t work out?

Shockingly, some couples don’t last through this period. So, what’s going to happen? Will you both move out, or is someone the lucky one who gets to shack up alone? It’s not a fun conversation to have, but it’s a necessary one. So have it in the beginning.

# Expect to pack on some pounds

If you’re a female, you’ll soon see how much your partner eats. That being said, you’re going to be by his side, munching away with him. You’ll be gaining some weight, however, you’re going to love it. So, don’t be stressed out, those are just love pounds.

# Communicate

Many break-ups happen because people do not communicate their feelings to each other. What happens? Everything builds up, and then you’re fighting over an empty ketchup bottle.

Yeah, it gets that ridiculous. So, communicate with your partner. If you don’t like how they do laundry, let them know. Or if they don’t clean their hair out of the drain after a shower, tell them it bothers you.

# Shacking up won’t solve your problems

If you two have been fighting a lot and think that shacking up will be the cure to all your issues, you’re in for a rude awakening. Do not use shacking up as a way to solve your relationship issues. Do you honestly think that living together 24/7 will resolve the fact that your partner is flirting with other people? It won’t.