Essential Things To Know Before Moving In With Your Partner

You're going to fight (a lot)

I’m not saying you’re going to throw frying pans and glasses at each other, but there will be a few bumps along the road.

My partner and I argued for days over some of the smallest things (for example: picking the right bed frame). 

Fighting is normal. It can even be healthy!

When I started to get angry or emotional over our little bickers, I tried to focus on the positives like “we might not agree on the bed frame right now, but I’m pretty happy we both agreed on the fridge and the couch”.

You're going to learn new things about each other

Accept it: you’re going to know their toilet routine inside out. This is so normal! I remember hiding my undies under the dirty wash basket because I was too afraid of my partner washing them until I realised I just had to get over it. 

Before we moved in together, we had been together and staying at each other’s houses for about 3 years. We thought we knew each other inside out, but there are some things you can only find out about someone by actually living with them.

And, yes, some of these little traits and habits might drive you up the wall, but just as many will only reinforce why you got together in the first place.

Communication and compromises is key

My partner was working long days when we first moved in. I’d find clothes on the ground, empty energy drinks on the desk and an alarm blaring at five minute intervals from 7am each morning.

Can’t say I was too stoked on that, until I found out that my partner wasn’t the only one with annoying little traits.

It is so important to express how you feel, or you’ll keep bottling it up and eventually explode.

Sometimes, you need to admit you’re wrong. Sometimes they’ll do the same. Often though, if you communicate (and listen) properly you can meet somewhere in the middle. Nothing beats a good compromise, trust me.

They pick what genre to watch and you pick the TV show within that genre. Simple!

You've got to have the uncomfortable conversation

The big scary question that everyone’s afraid to ask: what if we break up? 

When you’re both getting excited about moving in together the last thing you want to do is talk about what happens when you break up. But sometimes you’ve just got to be realistic, and this is one of those times. 

These topics are a must have: who stays and continues the lease agreement, who gets what furniture and who gets the pet (if you have one).

My partner and I made the decision to keep our money separate and split everything in half before making a joint account. We thought that we might just take it one step at a time.

The beauty of this is that once it's done, it's done and you both will be on the same page! 

"Me time" is so important

Remember that feeling of when you first met and you never wanted to leave each other's arms? That will change real quick. Not going to lie, you will be on each other's toes a bit. They're going to be in your space (and vice versa) so it’s very important to make sure you schedule some ‘me’ time. 

If you share a room, make sure you create a little space just for you to read, draw or whatever tickles your fancy.

Continuing to see your friends, and having your own life away from your partner can be so beneficial, especially if you find that you're both bickering more often. 

Enjoy the hell out of it

Now for the exciting part: living together is pretty AWESOME! You get to wake up and go to sleep next to the person you love every day and night. 

Whilst living together has its challenges, it's also a pretty exciting experience.

You become closer and get to create new memories with each other that you'll look back on and laugh about in a few years time. Not to mention you don’t just learn more about your partner, but also a whole lot about yourself! Enjoy it!

By Tahlia Philp