Cohabitation
Moving in with your partner for the first time can be overwhelming and confusing at first, especially if you have spent a lot of time living on your own. The first hurdle to jump is where to live. Perhaps your partner is moving into your place, perhaps you are moving into your partner’s place, or perhaps you are both getting a new place together. Whatever the case may be, there are issues that will arise that can seem unexpected but, as you will see, can be planned for and avoided.
- Furniture. Decide ahead of time which pieces of furniture you will keep. You can’t have two beds in the bedroom or two tables in the dining room. It will be difficult to choose, but compromise is the key.
- Pets. It may be that your partner dislikes or is allergic to your pet, or vice versa, which can be a difficult one. If you’ve (reluctantly) agreed not to have your pet live with you, find friends or family members who are willing to take it. Animal shelters should be considered only as a last resort.
- Decoration. Even the most compatible couples have extremely different tastes in art and decor. Try and reach an agreement based on non-extreme decorations that you’d like to keep. If there’s something you find hideous that your partner refuses to part with, suggest they have a separate space in the home where they can keep or display this thing.
