Looking to make a home with flatmate? Here\u2019s how to do it without going crazy!<\/i><\/p>\n
Roommate \u2014 that person you\u2019re forced to smile and live with because that\u2019s the only way your poor soul can afford to live in an apartment in the city. Making a home with another person, especially with someone whose tastes differ from yours, is a challenge of its own. If you\u2019re planning on doing just that, though, here are some tips on how to do it without losing your marbles!<\/span><\/p>\n Make An Effort To Get To Know Her<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n You can\u2019t live with a complete stranger \u2014 that\u2019s stupid and scary. We\u2019re not saying you have to be best buds \u2014 but you have to get along at some level to successfully build a home together. Get to know what she loves and hates, figure out a common ground, and take it from there \u2014 it\u2019ll go a long way in forging a healthy relationship between the two of you.<\/span><\/p>\n Leave Her Stuff Alone<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Don\u2019t use her shampoo. Don\u2019t use her hair straightener. Or her deodorant. Or her hair brush. Or her make up. Or her clothes. No, they were right there is not a valid excuse. Unless she has explicitly told you it\u2019s OK to do so, do not borrow<\/i> (read: steal) her shit \u2014 that\u2019s really not cool.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2026Unless You\u2019ve Invested In It Together<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve pooled in money and bought something like furniture together, it\u2019s obviously OK to use it without her permission. However, instead of buying furniture, it makes more sense to rent it instead. Not only do you save a ton of money, but services like free delivery and installation make life a lot easier too.<\/span><\/p>\n And well, you can\u2019t exactly break a dining table in two if she ends up moving apartments, no?<\/span><\/p>\n Hygiene Matters<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Don\u2019t leave your hair in the sink. Or by the shower. Or anywhere, really \u2014 that\u2019s just gross. Don\u2019t leave your dirty laundry, especially your undies, on the couch or strewn across the living room. You may be sisters of Satan\u2019s waterfall, but she doesn\u2019t wanna know about it when she visits the washroom to take a piss. If you cook, clean up behind you \u2014 dirty dishes are a big no-no.<\/span><\/p>\n Point is, don\u2019t be that disgusting person you wouldn\u2019t want to live with yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n There Will Be Differences \u2014 Learn To Take The High Road<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n You could be best buds, but you\u2019re still two different people. And as is the case with anyone, there will be differences. If it\u2019s trivial, learn to ignore it or accept it \u2014 it\u2019s better than ruining your relationship and peace in the house over it.<\/span><\/p>\n Boyfriends <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n OK, you have boyfriend \u2014 that\u2019s great. But having them over all the time can be very annoying for your roommate. Maybe they want to laze in their shorts, and they won\u2019t be comfortable if your boyfriend is there all the time. Or maybe they just want to have their space to themselves, and your boyfriend\u2019s\u00a0 <\/span>constant presence takes that away too. Remember, they didn\u2019t sign up for this!<\/span><\/p>\n And Lastly, Communicate And Compromise<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Communication is vital for any relationship to thrive \u2014 especially if it\u2019s with someone you share a living space with. Sit down with her and talk about what\u2019s right and what\u2019s wrong with the apartment once a week, and create an environment where it\u2019s OK for the two of you to talk about it with complete honesty.<\/span><\/p>\n