Take Inventory

...not of your love life, because hopefully that is solid enough to have warranted a decision to move in together.  Take inventory of your furniture and household possessions!  Moving in together is a lot like marriage (an economically wise partnership), except there is no wedding registry, i.e., no one is going to buy you shit and your family will deem it “living in sin.”

Which means that if you were borrowing your roommate’s iron, microwave, and couch, you need a new game plan. 

Sit Back and Veg

Now that you are out of the dating pool, kick back with your significant other in all your pajamified, make-up free glory.  But don’t be a total sloth!

I once wore the same outfit and didn’t shower for 3 straight days in my wooing techniques, but that only works if you achieve naturally cute bedhead and clear skin (me), don’t give a damn about impressing boys (usually me), and never smell (me).  Otherwise, maybe it’s time to pull out the stylish pjs and go the extra mile.

Brunching In

Now that you’re shacking up and staying in bed till noon, you’ll find that the motivation to leave the house for the pursuit of nourishment wanes. No more running across town to meet your significant other for brunch, or in my case, taking the Chinatown bus to Boston.  Yeah that was fun…

But you know what?  Brunch could possibly be the most annoying meal in New York.  LINES! WAITS! SUBPAR EGGS! Stay home, seriously.  And if you have a kick-ass apron collection like I do, and awesome manipulative, er, convincing powers (read: irresistible smile and charm), you two will be wearing aprons and cooking up brunch in no time.

Remember Date Night?

Yeah, me either.  Well, one of the downsides (sort of) of moving in together, is that you’re, well, always together.  You stop having date nights and coming up with intricate plans.  In other words, instead of going out to dinner, you watch the O.C. and drink beer.  Instead of seeing a movie, you sign up for netflix. Instead of walking in the park, you saunter to the washing machine.  Instead of intellectual literature discussions, you talk about the bills and taking out the trash. (I’m selling you on this, right???)

Remember Date Night!  Yes, you already know each other pretty well, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go to the chocolate and wine cafe around the corner.  I like to pretend sometimes I’m on a first date, with awkward leg brushes and stupid questions like, “What do you like to do in your spare time?” and “Do you have any hobbies?” It’s fun!  But seriously, go out and be merry with your true love.

Moving Out?

Hopefully everything will all work out and you live happily ever after, but if not, here are some Singles’ Guides for your perusal, in the event that the everlasting slumber party ain’t so everlasting after all.