Where do we draw the line between reasonable irritation and harmful behavior?

No matter how much anybody loves their partner, they likely do some stuff that annoys them. A couple who have all the exact same habits, perspectives, and cleanliness levels is a rare thing indeed, and even those types manage to irritate each other now and then.

Nothing brings home the reality of romantic commitment quite like living with somebody and being exposed to the full range of their quirks. It is a true test of a relationship, and how somebody chooses to handle it says almost as much as the person whose behavior they don’t like.

The reality is that living with a partner does not eradicate the fact that you still have to think about how to be a considerate roommate. In some ways, it is even more essential than if you live with a bunch of random people. Supposing this is the person you want to be with for the rest of your life, you need to be mindful of your less appealing habits and how you react to the things that they do that aggravate you. The small stuff can often be what makes or breaks the success of a relationship.