Dealing with Difficult Roommates: Tips for Success

 

Dealing with Difficult Roommates: Tips for Success

Having​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ a roommate can be an enjoyable experience, but it can also be quite difficult at times. When you share a living space with someone, you also have to share each other's habits, daily routines, and take turns with the household chores. Most of the time, it works out well, but occasionally, conflicts between personalities may result in the feeling of being under pressure.

Knowing the right ways to handle a problematic roommate situation will assist you in maintaining your composure, being polite and at ease in your own ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌place.

1. Communicate Early and Honestly

Effective​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ communication is the single most important factor. A large number of problems are those that arise from misunderstandings.

If any thing is disturbing your mind, make it a point to tell early instead of stuffing it inside your chest. Use good manners and be ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌straightforward.

2.Respect Each Other’s Space

People​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ require some personal time and privacy. It is understandable that even if you have a great relationship, continuous presence of someone can be exhausting.

It is necessary to provide to each other the opportunity to have some personal space. Here are some ways how you can do it:

• Put on headphones if you want to listen to music or watch a movie.
• If you want to come to their side or room, knocking will letting them know that you are coming.
• Going out, for instance, walking, visiting a café, or studying in the library will help you breathe some fresh air and change the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌environment.

3. Be Flexible and Empathetic

Sometimes,​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ hard behaviour may not be a part of the intention. Maybe your roommate is under pressure, getting used to a new place, or going through some personal issues. Empathizing can give you an insight into their point of view.

Work this out: In case you were thinking that they are inconsiderate or impolite, why don’t you ask, "Are you alright? You look very stressed these days."

Keeps being kind does not imply that others can use you without your permission, but it definitely makes talking more easy and ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌fruitful.

4. Know When It’s Time to Move Out

Sometimes​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ you cannot fix a living situation with a roommate. For instance, if your roommate is consistently disrespectful, disregards your boundaries, and makes you feel uncomfortable, the solution might be to get a new place.

Leaving your shared flat might be the right decision when:

• They spy on you.
• They threaten or insult you.
• They refuse to cooperate.
• You experience anxiety and feel uncomfortable in your own home.

The comfort of your mind as well as your safety should always be the priority. Getting a new place may be a challenge, but you are worth ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌it.

5. Learn and Grow from the Experience

Such​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ tough experiences may still teach you valuable life lessons — such as better communication, patience, and the ability to control one's emotions.

Eventually, these abilities will be beneficial to you at work, in relationships, and in any other communal living situations.

Coexisting with other people different from you, makes you a better person by teaching you how to adjust and work with others which are essential skills for ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌life.

Conclusion 

Having​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ a hard time sharing your space with a difficult roommate may be tough, but these two things: open communication and mutual respect, can bring a great change. By establishing limits and by being sympathetic one can keep tranquility and get a deeper understanding. When issues continue despite all efforts, you can always ask for support or make a decision to move to another place. Ultimately, these trials become a source of learning qualities like patience, giving way, and acquiring essential life ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌skills.