It’s unfortunate, but the truth is that the mere process of moving in together as a couple can be frustrating at the very least and relationship-ending at the worst.
Of course, there’s plenty you can do to help the process along and a good place to start is with conflict resolution. So here are 3 tips for you.
Planning and Logistics
Moving means a lot of moving parts – from choosing a moving date to coordinating with a moving company – and so disagreements over the logistics and timeline of the move are almost inevitable. You want to sit down together and create a detailed plan about how all the moving parts are going to move. Just get into things like budget, convenience, and any special requirements or preferences.
Say you’re discussing the moving date and realize that one partner has a work commitment on the originally proposed date. Instead of brushing it off, you both brainstorm alternative dates that accommodate both schedules so that no one has to feel rushed or neglected.
Stuff and Packing Styles
Packing up your belongings can stir up all sorts of emotions, especially if you have different packing styles; one of you might be attached to every knick-knack, while the other is ready to Marie Kondo the whole place.
So really, you want to set aside dedicated time to tackle the packing process together, getting into how you’ll decide what to keep, what can be donated or sold, and what should be discarded. Getting all this out loud and clear upfront is how you’re going to avoid misunderstandings, at least about packing.
Decorating Drama
Yes, decorating your new space is an exciting opportunity to make it feel like home, but chances are conflicting design preferences mean frustration and tension if things aren’t handled properly.
How can you get ahead of this? You want to talk about your design tastes and priorities openly and honestly as soon and as frequently as possible. Identify areas of overlap and where compromise may be necessary as you get into things like color schemes, furniture styles, and decorative accents.
In fact, create a shared vision for your new space by gathering inspiration from magazines, websites, or social media platforms; collaborate on creating a mood board to gather ideas and find a style that reflects both of your personalities.
Say you’re choosing a color scheme for the living room and realize that you both have different preferences. Instead of insisting on your individual choices, you explore a compromise by combining elements of both styles. For example, you might agree to paint the walls a neutral color and incorporate pops of color through accent pillows or artwork that reflect both of your tastes.
Moving in together is an awesome step in the right direction for your relationship so you want to make sure the process is a good memory as far as possible. Try out these tips!
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