Breaking up is never a fun experience, but it can be even more stressful when you’re forced to keep living with the person after you’ve decided to go your separate ways. This happens a lot more often than you may think, so you’re not alone. But it is important to put strategies in place to protect your mental wellbeing while you’re getting ready to relocate.
Having a proper plan for how you’ll handle things while still living together (and one for how you’re going to get out of this situation) is the best way to make things easier in this difficult time. The tips below should help:
Find Somewhere To Keep Important Belongings
If you can’t find a new living space right away, self storage can at least help you protect your important documents and prized belongings. Whether you find a storage unit in South Melbourne or store things with a mate in Alice Springs, getting your core belongings somewhere safe can take a load off your mind. This is especially important if you have any concerns that things may not remain perfectly peaceful at home. Having a storage unit also prepares you for when you do finally move out (more on this later).
Have Separate Rooms If Possible
Some people get stuck in a position where the only available space to sleep other than with their ex is on the sofa. However, if you do have the luxury of a spare room, get yourself moved into it as soon as possible. This may mean sacrificing an office or rumpus room, but it’s worth it in order to have your own private space. If you’re in the aforementioned situation where the lounge room is your only option, use furniture to section off a piece, and treat it like a bedroom so you have at least somewhere within the home that’s yours.
Review Your Budget
This tip applies both on a personal front and as a team. You may not be together anymore, but while you’re cohabiting, you are still a team of sorts. So it is important to look over fixed expenses and divide them fairly. In addition to this, you’ll want to look at your own budget and find ways to save money in order to build up a safety net and be able to move out of the home sooner. If children are involved and one parent was previously acting as the main caregiver, child care expenses will also need to be factored in.
Start Preparing Household Items For Moving Out
If you’ve been living together for a while, there’s a high possibility that you’ve culled your household items to only be enough for one house. Now that you’re looking to move out, however, you’re going to need to start acquiring furniture, appliances, and items for a second home.
Second hand stores are a great place to pick up furniture (which you can keep in your storage unit until you’re ready to move). Things like sheets and quality cookware should also be on your shopping list. If you’ve got kids, you’re going to need to get doubles of a lot of their things.
Keep Things As Friendly As Possible
It isn’t always possible to “play nice” with your ex, but you’re both going to need to make an effort to do so. This will make sharing a space easier and should help prevent the situation from becoming toxic.
Living with an ex is tough, but with the above tips, it should be easier to handle. Remember that this too shall pass – it’s only a chapter, not the whole book.
Photo: Virender Singh / Unsplash