Whether you’re getting married or making a decision to cohabitate with a partner, moving in with a significant other is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make.
You both have Instant Pots. Whose furniture will you keep? How will you combine everything into one closet? Where will the exercise equipment go? Integrating into each other’s life emotionally and physically can be daunting (especially if one person is moving into the other’s house).
Don’t let “Honey I’m home” turn into “Why are your shoes all over the floor?” Organizers can be great middle-men in any big life transition, but especially this one. Here are a few things to make combining households as easy as possible:
Have an open and honest discussion about what’s important to you in the home. Are you particular about where shoes are kept? Do you have a serious “thing” about dishes going directly into the dishwasher and not sitting in the sink? You might feel like you already know your partner, but living with someone can bring out tendencies you hadn’t noticed before.
Discuss your schedules so you can put systems in place ahead of time. For example, maybe during the weekdays one partner gets ready in the extra bathroom, or if one partner leaves really early for work, they now prep their morning smoothie the night before.
Talk about what you have before you move in. Declutter before you trek all your items in together. Do you both have towel sets? Do you both have pots and pans? Which ones are in better shape? Having these discussions ahead of time will help eliminate added stress related to the physical stuff.
MAKE CHANGES! Maybe it is time for a fresh look on things. Any move is a great time to purge, and purchasing new bedding or furniture together is a perfect way to make the new space feel like home to both partners.
Before you even pack a box, schedule a time to check in post-move to review how you’re both feeling. (Or bring in a professional to facilitate). It’s critical to communicate and understand if either partner is not feeling comfortable, productive and happy in the newly shared space. Small changes in the first few months can be crucial to the longevity of the happy cohabitation and ultimately the relationship.
Ultimately, both partners are going to have to make adjustments and compromises to make a happy home together. It is such an exciting step in a relationship, but it requires planning and work!
To find out how we can help combine two households, click here.
