Let’s paint a picture like Bob Ross.  Only this painting isn’t going to have happy trees and a secret bush that only we know about.

You’ve just started talking to this girl and it’s still fresh… maybe just a month or two.  A handful of dates and a couple sleepovers.  During your disheveled stay at her place, you’ve met the roommate and the playful banter has begun to move one notch above ‘friendly’ in your mind.  You may find yourself laughing with her more, have a easier flowing conversation, or even simply find her more attractive.

Entree envy.

This puts you in a very sticky situation.  What are you going to do if the roommate is a better fit for you than the original?

You need to put that thinking cap on and make an executive decision.  If it’s new and you’re already checking out other girls, is the original girl really a keeper?  Draw a line in the sand and pick your side quickly.

If you decide that you’re not feeling the original relationship, break it off immediately.  Wait an appropriate time, maybe a month or more, before you approach your new crush: the roommate.

Otherwise, if you decide that you like the original girl better, cut ties and especially the flirtatious side with the roommate.  You don’t want that mess on their hands.  With most roommate situations, there is full disclosure, and if you push too hard you could get burned.

Remember if you break it off like a jerk, such as implementing the phase out, you could hurt your chances of picking up the roommate later on down the line.  Tread carefully!

The switcheroo is a difficult act to pull off, but it can be done if done with extreme care, planning, and precision.

Have you ever been through something like this?  Did you successfully pull it off?  Sound off in the comments below!