I live with my boyfriend in a teeny tiny 'studio' flat. Ever since we moved in together, friends asked how I have found it and how we managed to live with one another's bad habits. As we approach our second university year living together, I thought I'd give you a few tips as to how to co-exist successfully and safely i.e without killing one another!
This is in no way me trying to dictate to you how you must live your life; these are simply things that I have learnt along the way and thought I would share with others in case it interests/amuses them. Naturally, Luke and I's findings may be completely different to yours. If you've got something to add or share, why not do so in the comments section below! Here are my tips regarding how to live with your partner:
1. aPPRECIATE YOUR INDEPENDENCE
It can be so tempting (and remarkably easy) to live as one entity once you move in with someone: you eat together and sleep together so why not spend every waking moment together?! Don't - you will want to kill each other! Go out with your separate friends and have a days/nights out away from each other. It'll only make you appreciate each other more and will give you things to discuss. I often take myself off for little jaunts along the hoe and off for shopping trips with friends and Luke often wanders over to his friends' place. You both need to have your own space in order to stop yourself feeling a little suffocated and it's healthier for you to have your own independence too!
2. appreciate one another's hobbies
I blog, write and read a lot; he reads Game of Thrones, follows technology and loves gaming. We both make time to talk to one another about the things we love and I adore that tolerance and appreciation we share for one another's interests. I'm pretty savvy when it comes to the latest movie releases and advances in gaming and he's pretty savvy when it comes to the goings on over here at Little V. It's a pretty perfect balance, even if I do say so myself. Take time to let each other ramble on - you'll feel pretty good about it and you'll forever ace Mr and Mrs style quizzes. It's also a pretty good thing to do to gain inspiration for future birthdays/surprise gifts.
3. don't be afraid to argue
It's not always shits and giggles; in fact, moving in with someone you love can be extremely difficult at times. What's important is to ensure that the arguments are short lived and that you can forgive. Feel free to shout at each other, call each other silly names and rip your hair out because if you keep it all in, you will have a really bad outburst one day that you really don't mean but really can't help. Like any couple, Luke and I have petty squabbles but we try to resolve the situation before we leave the topic altogether - that way you won't have to deal with the cold shoulder for a whole evening!
4. don't wait to be asked
5. make sure your space represents the both of you
6. accept their bad habits
7. don't stagnate
8. have fun!
▴
If you'd like to scroll through all of my advice posts then you can do so.
Ah this is such a good post! Your boyfriend and mine share the same name which is pretty funny. I practically lived with my other half this summer and so much of what you said is true. It's so important to still do stuff on your own and have different friends. We also try to have a 'date night' once a month where we get dressed up nicely and go out for a real date. It's important to keep that spark there and not just see each other in pajamas constantly!
ReplyDeletexxx
Nina from little nomad
I think number one is definitely the most important (bar obviously eight haha). I've been with my boyfriend for three years next month, and been living with him for just over two, and as much as we've actually never had an argument weirdly, I think we would get seriously bored of each other if we only did stuff together all the time. What keeps things nice is that we've always got things to talk about besides work and uni where we both pursue our own interests and go out with our respective friends/families etc. Obviously we do stuff together too, but it's nice that I know that if I wanna go out with my friends or something, I don't need his permission or anything like that, and he's not gonna be offended if I tell him he's not invited; and vice versa.
ReplyDeleteGreat post (:
xxx
I've never lived with T, although that may be about to change, but even just staying at each others- DEAR GOD MAN PICK UP YOUR SCREWED UP TISSUES... AHEM. Completely agree, don't fester- say what you have to say, move on, the other thing we try to do- have a problem- find a solution. We fought about a double duvet, so bought a king size one, got majorly irritated about my cleansers/moisturisers/girl gunges taking over the bathroom- found one rack to keep them all in next to the sink. Rather than just whinge about the things that drive us crazy, we try to find solutions to them.
ReplyDeleteThis post could not have been timed better! Not in the way that "Gah, I'm struggling, get me out of here!" but to see what others say on the matter :)
ReplyDeleteI have only been living with Ben less than a week and at the moment we hardly leave each others sides. I do agree with everything you say and I know many things will change when we start uni and hopefully get a job. Right now though it's all just very exciting and I am very much looking forward to what the future holds x
aw this is such a cute post!
ReplyDeleteI'm far away from this but your writing is so amazing that I just have to read all of your posts. Also you two look adorable in that photo. I hope this will help me....one day :)x
ReplyDeleteI have never lived with anyone and the idea terrifies me! These tips are great, I'll definitely be keeping them in mind for if/when it ever happens. x
ReplyDeleteThis is a brilliant post! I love the bit about appreciating each other's hobbies, my boyfriend is a gamer and has actually got me into playing a lot more than I used to. He also reads my blog, and is interested in fashion so is happy to come shopping with me and lets me show him all my favourite things in mags! We don't live together, but I definitely think some of these tips are applicable to couples that live seperately too! x
ReplyDeleteMy top tip is to be appreciative for the other person's efforts. Say thank you if they cook a meal for you, or do the washing up, or the laundry. It seems simple, and not something that deserves gratitude since it helps you both out, but I think it fosters a space where you both feel appreciated and *want* to do chores (as far as you ever can!) rather than feeling resentful towards the other person. It doesn't have to be gushing, just a simple 'thanks for loading the dishwasher' is enough! Also, get a dishwasher - your life will be significantly improved! Great post - I think number one is definitely the most important - time apart is good for everyone involved! xoxo
ReplyDeleteBee, you are such a wise woman! I've been living with my young man for 3 years now, in my fourth at the moment, and I would swear by every thing you say! These are pretty much our key things too!
ReplyDeletexxx
Great advice. Not that I have a girlfriend to live with. But it is good to see how you manage to find balance and make living together as enjoyable as possible. I do wonder when couples I know break up whilst living with one another. I never hear the details, of course, but it is the housemates who always and unfairly get the brunt end of the chaos. I hope it works out smoothly for yourself and Luke throughout your time at university.
ReplyDeleteI sooo needed to read this!! Living with your other half is a true test of the relationship, it is not easy!!
ReplyDeleteLoving all the advice and I am def in the same boat as you with the decorating florals are a complete no go zone!!! xx
I love this post, Bee. Certainly highlights some things that I've been guilty of in the past! I'm trying hard to make sure I don't get into the rut of only seeing the boyfriend and neglecting other areas of my life - we don't live together but at university last year he lived in the flat next door to mine, and we ended up basically living in my room. Sometimes it's definitely good to get out and do your own thing. You and Luke are such a lovely couple, warms my little heart :)
ReplyDeletexx
Ah this is so so lovely! xxx
ReplyDeleteThis post is lovely and has some really heart felt and sincere advice in. Something I will keep in mind for the future, appreciate the little things! I bet they can be easy to miss x
ReplyDeleteabsolutrly love this post bee! people think that moving in together is always the best, but sometimes it's not the easiest. me and my boyfriend have been living together for over a year and a half now, and we still want to strange each other at times.
ReplyDeletewe pass like ships in the night, so we always try to make time for each other, but some days that's over the washing up. chore. and we all do hate that!!
But completely agree with everything you've said here, and now i'm really going to take this advise further (Especially the bad habits one!!) xx
I love this post! One thing I've always been told is to try not to take your partner for granted. Just because they're there all the time is no reason for either of you to stop making an effort with the relationship!
ReplyDeleteSo amazingly true Bee, agree with everything you've said xx
ReplyDeleteI loved this little post, my boyfriend and I have lived together throughout university and are about to go into our third year. I completely agree with everything you've said! After we finish university we aren't going to be able to continue living together as we won't have the money so your final point is definitely true, it really is something to be enjoyed and I will certainly miss it when the time comes to move back home xx
ReplyDeleteI have lived with my bf (now fiance) for about 4 years now. I think that all your points are on the money! We squabble over silly insagnificant things (like if he would only pick up his bloody socks!) but everyday when we get home from work or other committments we are so happy to see each other and get to spend quality time together!
ReplyDeletexo Emilie @ Hungry Delights
Love this post and I absolutely agree with every single point! I've been living with Dan now since Christmas and we're doing alright - And I do need to learn to accept his amazingly annoying but LITTLE habits, such as squeezing the toothpaste from the very bottom of the tube rather than the top, and moving his own stuff from his desk to MINE to create space, as well as leaving his dirty clothes ALL over our sofa! Its a shared flat as well and his mate lives with us too downstairs, as well as some student who is never, ever here (4 months and counting now since we last saw him) - I have to deal with their habits too, being an only girl is hard. Oh, Dan shaves his beard over the shower too and it blocks the drain, argh!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, its nice isn't it? :) xx
So true! I've been living with my boyfriend for 2 years now in the tiniest of flats... it can be hard at times when you're in such a small space but we get through it. We've learnt to compromise and not let little things boil up into shitty arguments! x
ReplyDeleteI'm moving with my boyfriend at the end of the month, I'm really excited. Hopefully we'll not kill eachother and we'll both sleep in bed, not on the front door carpet.
ReplyDeleteYou're spot on with so much of this. The doing the washing up thing and tidying up after myself I really must get better at. I know it drives Ben insane and I really should respect that more. Bless him. I'm all for having an argument, we have one at least once a day :P But I can count on one hand the number of serious arguments we've had, and we've been together for 8 years!
ReplyDeleteSarahB@FridayisForever's comment above made me laugh so much, Ben squeezes the toothpaste from the top not the bottom and it drives me MAD!! He also shaves over the sink and doesn't wipe up properly, but if I leave my bag on the kitchen top for more than 5 minutes I get a rollicking!! You've started something here :D
It's all fun and games though :P
Lovely post!
Jen | sunny sweet pea xx