We’re going to give you some tips on how your relationship can survive living together. This show references articles from GuyCodeBlog on MTV.com and HowStuffWorks.com. Check out these and all resources, quotes, etc from this show on our site at relationspodcast.com/114.
By the end of this episode:
- 8 Tips to live together, and keep your relationship
Describe the problem
…You’ve moved in together, but it’s a little different than your typical roommate situation (in that you probably didn’t go to college with this person, and you touch pants parts a lot). So how do you handle all the day-to-day details of living with another human, while bolstering your relationship? Find out in episode 114: Moving in Together (Part Deux).
Segment #1
- Close The Bathroom Door Don’t go to the bathroom with the door open. Just don’t. By the time you live together, you’ve probably seen each other cry and puke…but just keep that last mystery behind closed doors. And while you’re in there, try not to pee all over the place, please.
- Don’t Forget The Romance A little bit of that excitement is going to fade from the relationship once you start farting in front of each other–it’s not a matter of if, but when. So make sure to still plan a date night once in awhile, cook a surprise meal or even bring her a little something special (not the toilet paper she asked you to pick up) to keep the romance alive.
- Do Your Part With The Chores Some guys expect their live-in girlfriends to cook, clean and do the grocery shopping while they just kill spiders and maybe take out trash once per week. Sorry, dude, that fantasy only exists on “Mad Men.” There are no gender specific chores anymore. Here’s your apron…what’s for dinner?
- Keep In Touch With Your Boys Make sure not to fall into a domestic black hole with your lady and then forget about your friends. Do a night out with the guys–it’s a good way for you and her to have some healthy time apart. Just remember that when you come home, you’re crawling into bed with a sleeping, sober person who doesn’t care for your booze-breath and snoring.
Segment #2
- Discuss responsibilities. You may already be on the same page regarding chores and finances, but if you’re not, it could prove disastrous. So on the off-chance you’re not thinking the same thing, discuss these unpleasantries beforehand and work out a detailed plan regarding how things like cleaning, cooking, rent and utilities will be split.
- Be on neutral ground. It’s hard to feel truly at home when you move into someone else’s space; and if someone else moves into yours, it may feel like your space is being invaded. If possible, start fresh in a home you pick out together.
- Give yourself some space. As much as you love spending time with your partner, remember, we’re talking 24/7. Few people can manage that level of togetherness without some kind of break. Make sure you each have, guilt-free, some type of area to call your own, plenty of “me” time and/or time with your other friends built into your living arrangement.
Final Thoughts:
#1 Go To Bed When She Does The nice part about living alone is that you can stay up ’til 3 a.m. watching horror movies and playing video games. The nice part about living together is that you have a more entertaining option: SEX! Go to bed at a normal hour and leave your Xbox Live friends hanging for another night.
- Elijah’s Thoughts
- Sarah’s Thoughts
In Closing
If you have a question, comment, or funny story about [INSERT SHOW TOPIC] we have a private SafeSpace on facebook where we talk about all sorts of social, professional, and romantic relationship topics, and after every show you can go there and share you story, get some advice from great people or just hang out. Both Sarah and I are there every day and you can be there too, just go to www.relationspodcast.com/join and click the “Join Now’ button.
Until we meet again, keep striving to make every relationship you have the best it can possibly be, including (and especially) the one with yourself. We’ll talk soon.
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