Contrary to popular belief, live-in relationships aren’t all about being all over each other around the clock, or lovingly watching your partner sleep, as he looks like one of those picture-perfect models, straight out of those Goodnight coil commercials. In fact sometimes, it’s the opposite–you have sex less frequently, and don’t spare an opportunity to take ugly sleeping pictures of each other, which you obviosuly use for blackmail purposes in the future.
Recently, we told you about how sharing a home with someone has many sides to it. Of course, thanks to the manipulative world of cinema, we’re only shown the extremes. Either it’s an unbearable situation in which both partners are miserable, or it’s the other end of the spectrum, where the couple seem to be alienated from the concepts of grief and conflict. Well, in real-life, things aren’t always as simple and clear and black and white. Yes, live-in’s involve a fair share of adjusting to each other’s likes, dislikes and habits, and yes, there’s also a major reason why more and more millennials are defying India’s cultural fantasies and going for it.
Since we’ve given you a lowdown on the negatives, today, here’s the upside of being in a live-in relationship…
1. You always have someone to go home to
Coming home to someone you love after a long day’s work can really be a huge stress relief. Whether you choose to simply sipping on a cup of coffee with them, or discussing your day–it’s a good feeling to have your special one next to you. Besides, it’s scientifically proven, sleeping next to someone you love decreases anxiety, and has a positive effect on your mental health.
2. You get to know the person better
If you think there’s a strong chance you are going to spend the rest of your life with your partner, as “tauba tauba” as it may seem to many, living-in with him for a while, is a great way to test your compatibility. They say that you never really know a person, unless you’ve traveled with them or lived with them, and in most cases, this is rather apt!
3. You don’t get bored
If you’re living-in with your partner, the chances of you dying of boredom and having to call up your friends to “make a plan” are less. The two of you can always do something fun together to beat a gloomy state of mind, like workout, cook or simply chat!
4. Midnight snacking and movie marathons
Okay, we had to throw this one in. Midnight snacking and movie marathons can be enjoyed alone–we know. However, sharing these moments with a loved one can only simply these simple joys of life. Also, “Netflix and chill” will more often than not really mean just Netflix and chill. 😉
5. You can afford to be lazy and still be assured that shit will be done
Live-in’s should ideally equal a partnership, where a couple share the load, and balance each other out. Unlike how living alone requires you to be at your efficient best every single day to ensure your home is running smoothly. When you’re in a live-in, on the days that you don’t feel like moving, you know there’s someone you can count on to take care of chores and responsibilities. However, on some days, you’ll have to be the one pulling double duty too!
6. You grow as a person and understand yourself better
When you live with someone, you begin to discover the many sides of your personality that you might’ve not thought you had. Live-in’s require some amount of adjustment, and in that process, you’re bound to figure out important things that bring you closer to your true self. Patience, compassion, comfort zones, tolerance levels, trust–each concept gets clearer.
