This is a loaded question and we don’t think people really take enough time going over “The Living Together Checklist!” It is a necessary tool to use when making such a committed decision!
So what should we be looking for and are we looking for the same things down the road? How long have you known each other? Why have you decided to live together? Finances? Convenience? Can’t live without each other? Due to long distance relationship issues?
Do you know and love their quirks? Does it bother you if your guy sits down to pee? (Many relationships break-up over the little aggravations that over time, become huge). One guy I lived with, told me much later, that I never put lids back on things properly. Many times when he would pick something up it would drop on the floor because the lid was fall off. (I don’t know how many broken toes he had from shampoo bottles falling on his feet unexpectedly!) I hated those child -proof caps and once I got them off, I would leave them loose so I didn’t have to fight with them.
People really do sweat the small stuff[
in a partnership. It is always a good idea to have two bathrooms in your communal pad for any “anal preferences” you may have for the toilet paper roll or toothpaste caps! Men have “maybe” 6 bathroom items on their counter and they use I roll of toilet paper a year. They obviously love the smell of their own poop, which is the reason they have a magazine rack by the toilet. They can sit there for 30 minutes reading away…Women have 55,000 toiletry items and go though a 10 pack roll of 4 ply in a week! LOL
What else will your future roommate be bringing into your new home? Kids? Pets? Mother? Austin Power’s shagadelic furniture? Home decorating can be a difficult compromise! She likes pink ruffles, he likes burlap beanbag chairs! What is wrong with a photo of “The Godfather” over the living room fireplace and full length ceiling mirrors in the bedroom? Come on girls you really should be more flexible!
What are the sexual expectations? Things can change drastically when you see each other 24/7! It’s no longer as exciting as the early chase of a new date. Better get into role-playing to keep it exciting! Don’t see each other every evening. Make plans with friends so that they have time to miss you. We seem to want the ones that are not always in our face!
Do a trial living arrangement at each other’s place first This will tell you many things about each other. Is someone more territorial in their own environment? Easy going? Controlling?
The checklist above should help you look at the “living together” scenario before you actually commit to it. That is what dating is all about. Communicating and paying attention to detail could save you many arguments and heartbreak. It is easy to be attracted to someone and even love them, but it is not always easy to co-habitate. Even if the sex is unbelievable, it is not always enough to sustain a partnership.
xoxo the beavers
