Living Apart Together (LAT): An Emerging Relationship Dynamic

Living Apart Together (LAT): An Emerging Relationship Dynamic There’s a new living dynamic on the scene for those in committed relationships. Living Apart Together (LAT) is an emerging living arrangement for those in a long-term relationship who choose to live in separate homes, while still maintaining monogamy. Some find this arrangement to be a bit odd compared to more traditional options, however, research showed exploring progressive living options are on the rise. Modern Intimacy’s Clinical Associate, Heather Mazzei, ASW, explains the growing phenomenon and how it can work for couples. æææææææææææææææææææææææææ SUBSCRIBE TODAY: https://bit.ly/ModenIntimacy Æææææææææææææææææææææææææ Why Do Couples Choose Living Apart Together (LAT)? LAT relationships are on the rise. Many couples have engaged in this dynamic as seen within long distance relationships. However, many close proximity, long term relationships are giving it a try. Many LAT couples make the decision to explore living apart not because they wish to separate, but because they wish to improve the dynamics of their relationship. Of course this dynamic is not for every type of relationship, however, it can be worth discussing the option deepening on the couple’s specific relationship needs. LAT can be beneficial for older people, as well as younger people looking to maintain autonomy, improve intimacy, or have an aversion towards traditional relationship roles of the family home and crave more independence. Couples who live apart will likely have discussed the dynamic ahead of time, what their individual needs and expectations are, and how they can reassess if said needs change. It doesn’t have to be a permanent decision, but it can be worth trying if your relationship and individual needs require more independence. How Does Living Alone Together Work? There are various ways couples can employ the LAT lifestyle. For some, it’s as simple as having two separate houses and scheduling time to visit each other at times that work for both parties. For others, LAT may look like sectioning floors of a home or certain areas of the home/apartment into separate living quarters. For example, two rooms in the house may be assigned to one partner for work and leisure and two other rooms for the other partner to inhabit. While LAT couples have specific areas of the home or separate homes all together, it doesn’t mean the relationship is struggling to stay afloat. The couple will likely still spend the needed amount of time together, have healthy sex lives and communication, and the ability to connect and bond, just as much as couples in more traditional living arrangements. The Misconceptions of LAT There’s often some confusion around the LAT living style and why certain couples choose it. In our current culture in the United States, many couples adopt more traditional relationship lifestyles such as moving in together, getting married, having children, and following a traditional relational script. This dynamic works for some, but not for all. Of course, there is no “right” way to have a relationship. Every couple will have unique styles and needs to be happy within a relationship. Relationships are not one size fits all so what works for couple A could feel unproductive for couple B. It’s important to speak with your partner about what each of you needs from a relationship, what works, what doesn’t work, and how to adapt and reassess when and if those needs change. To read more about Living Apart Together, check out Heather’s full article on Modern Intimacy’s blog: https://www.modernintimacy.com/living... Inspired by: 3 Myths About Living Apart Together Relationships That Need to End   / 3-myths-about-living-apart-together-relati...   When living apart keeps you together: https://www.curbed.com/2020/2/12/2113... Older Couples Are Increasingly Living Apart. Here’s Why https://time.com/5271527/older-couple... Could You Live Apart, Together? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/bl... LAT: The Relationship Status That More & More Millennials Are Signing Up For https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019... Living Apart Together Could Be The Relationship Style That Brings You Closer https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/marcia-...