By Sam at Flirtify
If you’re in a relationship for the long-haul, you’re probably well aware that the Honeymoon Period comes and goes quicker than you’d probably like to admit. But that’s life, eh: when sexy underwear gets replaced with a multi-car insurance policy and a slow cooker, you know you’ve moved on to the next stage of your relationship.
Nonetheless, here arise some definite perks: what's more, this often means your significant other becomes more and more like your best pal. And that’s completely worth the constant bickering over who unloads the dishwasher, trust us.
They may not have been featured in Shakespeare’s sonnets, but here are 10 ways that being in a relationship is the best, even without the romance:
1. Sharing food
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This is by far the best part of being in a relationship: at a restaurant and can’t decide what you want to eat? No worries: order two plates and swap halfway through.
For the terminal unromantics, make sure you make a clear 50-50 separation on your plate before you start eating.
2. Using them as an excuse
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Forgot to pay the rent? Being particularly rubbish at texting back? You can blame everything on your significant other, without them even knowing. Apologising for their tardiness is quicker and easier than actually admitting personal responsibility.
Just don’t forget, this is a mutual agreement; after a few years, your friends will definitely begin to wonder why you put up with how pathetic you make your partner out to be – and vice versa.
3. Being able to let yourself go
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Arguably the most challenging part of being in a long-term relationship is coming to terms with how you’ve managed to double your collective body weight since the day you met. Cue identity crisis.
But in all honesty, it just means you’re super comfortable around another human being; the illusion has finally been shed, and it’s fantastic. You let those leg hairs breathe, girl.
4. Presents get good
When you eat, sleep and binge-watch next to someone for a significant amount of time, you have plenty of opportunities to master the subtle hint; it can be quite life changing, getting presents from someone who knows what you already have and what you genuinely want/need. Gift receipts become a thing of the past.
Not only this, but presents can get more and more practical; it might feel like the end of romance as you know it, but there’s a bittersweet joy in receiving that set of wiper blades you’ve been needing for ages.
5. Cooking is easier
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Anyone who cooks for one knows the struggle; portion control goes out of the window. Either you end up chucking a significant portion of your handiwork away, or you end up eating the same sodding shepherd’s pie every night for the rest of the week.
It’s hard to hear, but most recipe books don’t cater to the singleton market: cooking for two increases your options, distributes the labour, and also saves the planet from food waste. Win-win-win.
6. Borrowing their stuff
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Not only are you blessed in sharing their company for – fingers crossed – the rest of your life, you also get to share all of their possessions: TVs, more expensive furniture, subscription services, even underwear, if you’re daring.
Being in a relationship basically means you double your amount of possessions- as long as you don’t mind the action figure/antique coin collections coming along for the ride too.
7. They’re willing to listen to your every thought
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Fancy yourself as a James Joyce? You’ve finally found that one person who will put up with your no-longer-internal monologue all day, every day. They know that their contribution may not be valued, and yet they want to take it all in anyway.
They might even call you out on some of your crappier/more irrational behaviour, leaving you as a more stable, rounded individual. Aw.
8. Road Trips are 100% better
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Whether you’re partaking in Route 66 or the obligatory drive-through hangover run, travelling gets instantly better. Not only do you have someone to 50-50 the actual driving with, but your counterpart can offer many other skills, like DJing, navigating, snack sharing, and most importantly keeping you awake.
We’re surprised that having a significant other isn’t a requirement on your insurance policy by now.
9. Candid photo taking
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It sounds narcissistic, but here lies a golden opportunity; when you’re tired of the selfie, you can arrange for your non-judgemental partner in crime to take a completely natural-looking, completely staged shot for your Instagram.
Not only does it give the illusion that another human being actually thought you’d make a fascinating subject, you can also give it 50 different tries to ensure you get the angle of your chin just right.
10. Having someone rooting for you every single day
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Okay, so this one is kinda romantic: there’s nothing more confidence-boosting and life-affirming than having someone who consistently has your back. Every one of your flaws all of a sudden has the miraculous potential to be endearing. It’s an awful cliché, but when you find someone who will support you through both good and bad times, every day gets a little bit easier. Whether you’re facing a drastic career change, family issues, or a charity 10k, there’s nothing more reassuring than facing it together with someone who knows your every thought and every quirk.
Combine all of this with the occasional romantic renaissance, and maybe the dreaded ‘post-honeymoon period’ doesn’t look too bleak after all.
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