Before you and a partner decide to move in together, you may have already decided how to split costs and chores, but these three important social topics you may have overlooked.
Image from Wyatt Fisher.
Make sure you talk about these so you’re on the same page about how you’ll both spend your time:
- How often will you spend time independent of your partner? Whether this means time for yourself or making plans with friends, assuming you and your partner will spend every evening together may not be right for your relationship. Agreeing on how much time you’d both like to spend apart gives you time to recharge and maintain friendships.
- When you spend time together, what will you do? Falling into a routine, like Netflix all evening, is easy. Chat about how each of you would like to spend time with the other. Maybe a date night once a week out of the house? A dedicated evening to a shared hobby? Exercising together? Whatever you pick, make a commitment to give it as much priority as social activities with other people.
- How will you communicate your social calendars? Having something like a joint Google calendar or standing nights that are blocked off (like Friday is date night), helps keep you two from being double booked or not being able to make plans without hearing back from the other person first (versus just pulling up the shared calendar).
The results of this conversation will vary for each couple, but it’s more important to have the talk and come to an agreement than to set any specific agenda.
Things to Talk About Before Shacking Up [The Billfold]
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