How To Make A Live-in Relationship Work

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The concept of a live-in relationship is not new. In fact, it is a much popular concept among most urban dwellers in India. Earlier, the idea of a man and a woman staying together before marriage was considered as a taboo. But with the changing time and liberalization of values, live-in relationships have gained prominence.

Live-in relationship is actually a glimpse of how the life would be with your partner if you decide to get married in the future. A live-in relationship is an excellent way to judge whether or not your partner and you are capable of handling various challenges which will come up in future. Right from managing the finances, daily chores, splitting the expenses to hanging out with your friends and family members; live-in relationship gives you a chance to discover how far you will be comfortable in your later life.

No couple is perfect and problems are bound to crop up in a cohabitation scenario. Living together brings you to a close proximity to your partner and you discover many things which were earlier unknown to you. Therefore, knowing what to expect from the relationship and having a strategy to make certain things work is always helpful. Here are some ways you can make a live-in relationship work:

Accept The Imperfections

The most common mistake couples make is that, they do not want to accept their faults and imperfections. We love to pick on the bad habits of our partner while ignoring our own. So, do not forget that you may have some annoying habits too. Accept your partner with the imperfections and also accept when you are wrong.

Don't Dictate Terms

Remember it is cohabitation. You are not here to dictate terms and conditions to your partner. You can set rules regarding washing, cleaning and other chores with your partner which you both should follow. Set these basic rules to avoid unwanted and petty issues. This will definitely make your live-in work.

Avoid Unnecessary Disputes

The key is communication. You have to be clear about what you want your partner to do. If you do not like a particular thing, then be open and talk it out. There is no point in keeping it to yourself and cribbing about it. This will help in keeping disputes at bay.

Keep The Intimacy On

Don't forget the primary reason of staying together. Waking up in the morning to see each others face in the soft sunlight, curling into each other while having coffee, being naughty while doing the cleaning are some things to keep the romance ticking. Don't let the routine work take away the intimacy out of your relationship.

Discuss The Status Of Your Relationship

You did not start living with your partner just to save your rent, right? You moved in because of the love, emotions and various other things. Every live-in relationship creates an expectation of taking things further. However, if you and your partner do not agree over your relationship status then it will create a lot of complications. So, it is better to discuss things clearly.

Keep Your Finances Separate

Money matters should never be allowed to enter your relationship. It may sound awkward but openly discuss the finances with your partner. Clarify how you will split your expenses on groceries, bills, rent etc.

Personal Space

Most importantly, don't give up your personal space and don't try to interfere in your partner's space. Hang out with your friends once in a while and spend some time apart. This will only enhance your intimacy and the craving to be together.

Don't Expect Marital Authority

In a marriage, husband and wife have a kind of authority over each other. A husband may demand his wife to stay with him over the weekend and a wife may ask her husband to not attend a party and stay with her. A live-in relationship may be a similar scenario as marriage but you have to keep in mind that the two can be quite different. So, do not expect marital authority over your partner. It will only make things terrible for you.