Elle and Accidentally Moving In

Awww. Relationships are so fun. Especially new{ish} relationships! I love spending time with {The Boyfriend}. Watching tv, running, reading, cooking for two, counting sheep - these are all things I enjoy doing by myself, but doing them with {The Boyfriend}...so much better.

But how do we balance where and when we spend our time together?

I learned a lot in my last relationship with {The X}. You all know how {that} story ends, so it shouldn't be a surprise when I say that we had some pretty unhealthy habits between the two of us. We got to a point in our relationship where we weren't really doing anything without each other, so much so that I forgot how to do things on my own. I forgot how to be my own person.

In the story of {Elle} - there is such thing as too much together time.

I think that part of the reason why me and {The X} became an {US} that couldn't function without the other half is because we moved in together very quickly in our relationship without looking into the future and talking about what taking that step might mean.

I vowed to not make that mistake again in any future relationships. I took the greater part of a year and a half to discover who I was again. I experienced a lot of growth and challenges in that time but it was definitely worth it.

I'm thrilled to report that things still are going well with {The Boyfriend}. I do enjoy spending time with him - but we also do our own things too. However...you knew there would be a however right? I can't seem to find a healthy balance between spending time at his house and mine. We spend most of our time at his place - and there are so many reasons why. I'll even list a few. 1. When we have {The Pup}, it's so much easier for her to run outside and use the bathroom. 2. He has a two bedroom, two bath town home, while I am rocking a less than 400 square foot apartment. 3. I have one chair. He has two couches. 4. We can walk to the grocery store - a real grocery store - from his place. From my place it takes a bus ride. 5. He has a fire place. I have a candle that I shouldn't light because I'm sure it's against code. 6. He can fast forward commercials, at my house you have to watch them. - I could go on...and on, but I won't.

Lastly - as a lady - I hate carting my shit between two houses during any given week. If we start the week at his house - I ain't moving. Why? Because. Friends, I have never {NEVER} been a light packer. If I need one pair of underwear, I pack four. If I think I'm going to wear these jeans tomorrow, I bring them and one additional pair. If I wear the first pair of jeans, then I need these flats, but if I wear the other ones, then I need boots. If I wear the flats, I need a more casual top, but with the boots, then I think I'll be a little more dressy. I can wear my peacoat to work, but need my casual jacket for after. What earrings? What necklace? Plus what if it's raining?

My makeup and hair 'stuff' take up a whole other bag.

And don't even get me started if {The Pup} is with me, then I have her bag o'goodies as well.

Just packing for a quick overnight to {The Boyfriend's} House

My point is this. I enjoy spending time with {The Boyfriend}. We are an {us}. But I am also a {me} - a {me} who pays her own rent and has her own place. We don't live together and I don't want to find myself accidentally moving in before we talk about what that means to both of us and our relationship.

xoxo,
Elle