When you’re living with your partner, you might feel a certain entitlement to their stuff. There’s a reason girlfriends are known for stealing their boyfriend’s hoodies and never giving them back! That stereotype is just plain true. For many couples, it is expected to combine possessions when moving in together and not think twice before using your boyfriend’s eggs for some cupcakes or borrowing your girlfriend’s body wash after you forgot to get a new bottle. 

There’s always a limit to how much couples can claim each other’s possessions. I wouldn’t trust a girlfriend to go through my closet and choose what to keep and donate, nor should she trust me with that! I wouldn’t appreciate it if a partner painted an accent wall in the living room without consulting me on the color and wall. If anyone tried to throw away my favorite holey socks, there would be a serious problem.