Are you thinking of moving-in together with your partner? Is it the right step for you and your relationship? Are you moving in together too soon? Or how to ensure a smooth relationship by preparing well before you move in together?
As a clinical psychologist and relationship wellness coach, Dr. Raghav C. Juneja shares his advice in an exclusive interaction with Baely’s Consulting Editor Mahima Sharma. He has some 30 years of experience in the field and he writes, “Moving-in together is a huge step in any relationship. It can be both exciting and challenging at the same time. It's a true test of commitment and a sign of a potential life together, but it's also important to approach it in the right way. Breaking up after moving in together can be traumatic and exhausting, so it's crucial to make sure you're on the same page with your partner and have taken the necessary steps before making the leap. Thus, I am sharing some advice to help couples sail smoothly when they move in together.”
It's essential to be on the same page with your partner about where you see the relationship going. Ask them if they see marriage in the near future or ever, so there are no surprises down the road. Miscommunication can lead to hard feelings, so it's best to have this talk well before moving in together.
Spend as much time as possible at each other's places, including weekends, midweek overnight dates, and even traveling together for five or six days. This type of intimacy cannot be replicated with traditional dates and will give you a better understanding of how your relationship thrives when you're not on your best behavior.
Many people are apprehensive about the idea of living with someone, and it's normal to have fears about losing independence, the relationship becoming stale, or breaking up and starting over. It's essential to open up about these fears before moving in together and develop a plan for how to handle the worst-case scenarios. For instance, an LGBTQ couple may face more challenges due to societal pressure. You can talk or take external advice to ensure you don’t depart because of pressure and stress.
Whether you're moving into your partner's place or they're moving into yours, it's essential to make the space feel like your new "together" home. This may mean making changes to the layout, decorating, or adding special touches to make the space feel more comfortable for both of you.
Living together means sharing expenses, and it's essential to have a clear understanding of who will be responsible for what. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, and any other household expenses. It's essential to be on the same page about finances to avoid any conflicts down the road.
(Related article: Budgeting to Investing: Finance Coach's Guide for Couples towards a Stronger Relationship)
Living together means sharing space, and it's essential to set boundaries and establish rules to ensure that both of you feel comfortable and respected. This may include rules about cleaning, guests, late nights without each other, personal space, etc. Set them beforehand lest you fight over these later.
Living together can be a lot of work, creating new memories together. Plan a fun date night at home, cook a special meal together, or even just spend a lazy Sunday morning cuddled up on the couch. These small moments of joy and connection are what make living together so special and will help strengthen your relationship.
(Check out Baely Rituals to discover fun activities that you can do with your partner on a regular basis. Also, sign up for any of the rituals and we will send your timely reminder and support along the way to help you stay on track)
It's essential to maintain your independence and make time for yourself when living with your partner. This may mean taking a yoga class, going for a run, or simply having some alone time.
Living together means being in close quarters, and it's essential to communicate openly and honestly with your partner to avoid any misunderstandings or conflicts. Make sure to set aside time to talk about any issues that arise and work through them together.
Team Baely hopes that you will benefit from these tips. Alternately, if you have some tips of your own, do drop us a message in our Instagram inbox or write to us at hello@thebaelyapp.com
Disclaimer:
The opinions expressed within this interview are the personal opinions of the protagonist/protagonists. The facts & statistics, the work profile details of the protagonist/ protagonists do not reflect the views of Baely or the Journalist. Neither Baely nor the Journalist hold any responsibility or liability for the same.
