After you've been with your partner for a bit, you might start to think about what your next steps look like. And if you don't yet live together, but know that you'd like to (or at least would be open to doing so) before you consider an engagement, ceremony, or any other long-term commitment, moving in together can be a good next step.
But it's not always as easy as knowing that you want to move in with them. If you see some of these major red flags, it's probably not yet time.
1. You argue all of the time.
If you and your partner argue all of the time, that likely won't immediately improve once the two of you move in together, so you might need to focus on addressing that first.
"Many couples have challenges with communication, but if you argue most days and aren't able to swiftly recover from disputes, moving in together will not improve the communication,"Nedra Glover Tawwab, LCSW, the creator of The Empowered Planner, told INSIDER. "If you recognize that you have poor communication, work toward fighting less, listening and fighting fair before deciding to move in together."
When fights are frequent and all blend into one another, you're not yet ready to live in the same place.
2. You're more worried about the decision than excited about it.
Moving in with your partner should be an exciting thing, not one that causes anxiety.
"Some hesitations are normal and healthy,"Dr. Dara Bushman, PsyD, NBCCH, RRT, a licensed clinical psychologist, told INSIDER. "It can be fearful to shift your home arrangements as they are a place of security and safety. There is a strong 'unknown' in deciding to cohabitate. It can be cute to spend time at one another's homes, but it is different when you merge the two."
If your concerns are greater than your excitement, you might want to wait a little longer before signing a lease or buying a house.
3. You've never vacationed together.
You can learn a lot about someone when you travel with them, spend tons of time together without a break, stay together in an enclosed space, or try new things. Evie Shafner, LMFT, a therapist, told INSIDER that if you've vacationed together, had to navigate the challenges that can go along with traveling, and enjoyed the experience, that might be a sign that you are, in fact, ready to move in together.
If you haven't yet had those sorts of experiences, talking about a trip or weekend getaway might be a good first step.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider