Things That May Make You Regret Moving In With A Partner

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Moving in with a partner is a huge step in a relationship. While it can definitely suggest that a relationship has become serious and is moving towards something more long-term, living with a partner can also come with a downside. Here are a few of the downsides of living with a partner.

Mismatched levels of neatness

One of the greatest downsides to living with a partner is when the perceptions of tidiness are dramatically different. While one partner may feel comfortable with a little bit of messiness and disorder, a neater person may take issue with this, which can become a major source of conflict.

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Increased housework

The more people living in a household, the more housework that needs to be done. Laundry piles up more quickly, the bathroom needs cleaning a lot sooner, and the dishes fill the sink in the blink of an eye. People who have grown accustomed to living alone may be shocked by how significantly one person can change the housework load.

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Disagreements over housework

Speaking of increased housework, living with a partner may also result in disagreements over chores. While no one enjoys doing chores, but some people are especially work-avoidant when it comes to housework, leaving the majority of cleaning and home maintenance to their partners. This can become a major source of resentment and conflict for cohabitating couples.

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Less alone time

Living with a partner naturally leaves fewer opportunities for alone time. While couples time is great, alone time is equally important. Some people may not know how to ask for alone time without hurting their partner’s feelings. On the flip side, some may feel hurt or offended when their partner asks to spend time alone.

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Disagreements over decor

When you live alone, you can decorate as you wish without concern for the opinions of others. However, when living with a partner, you may need to take their preferences and opinions into consideration since you share living space. Of course, differences in opinion can lead to conflict for two strong-willed partners.

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Financial differences

Similar to tidiness, everyone approaches their finances differently. Unfortunately, this can be a point of contention for cohabitating couples. While one partner may be a penny pincher, the other may pursue the finer things in life. However, as long as both parties are being financially responsible, they should be able to reach some sort of common ground.

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Intimacy

Many couples notice a dip in intimacy after moving in together. There are various reasons why this is the case, but one of the more common reasons is that when you move in together, real life gets in the way. Further, moving in together tends to make couples a bit comfortable and sometimes complacent as far as sex is concerned.

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Different routines

Conflicting routines can also cause problems for cohabitating couples. While one partner may be an early riser, the other may not be a morning person at all. Similarly, one partner may be a night owl while the other prefers to get to bed early. In both instances, partners may impose on one another’s sleep.

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Decreased control

When you live alone, you’re in the driver’s seat. You get the first and the last say. However, when you are living with a partner, decisions need to be made jointly. This means you have less control and are more likely to have to do some compromising. For some, compromise comes naturally. For others, this can be a huge area of strife for some couples.