Living with friends is a decision you must make after carefully weighing all of the benefits and drawbacks. People, regardless of whether they are friends, have various home routines that you may not be aware of until you begin living together. Friendship has its ups and downs, but there are methods to coexist with your friends without becoming enemies. We’ve highlighted some of the steps you should take before going on this adventure below.
Talk About Money
Most people find money discussions difficult, but you must have the conversation when you decide to live with your pals. Because you are sharing a living space with someone else, you must also share expenses. Some expenses, such as groceries, utility bills, and rent, will be split by everyone living there. It is critical to create a budget collectively to satisfy everyone’s expectations and understand what you can handle financially.
Money can wreck any relationship, and if you don’t plan ahead of time, you’ll wind up having issues with your roommates. Also, because you’re mates, don’t assume that you have the same financial resources as the others. You can make some concessions on some expenses until they can afford or cover their portion, at which point they will refund when they have the funds.
Have your Room
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Even though you decided to live with friends, you still need your own space. As much as it is our nature to socialize and build relationships, we also need some alone time to clear our minds and just relax. It is only possible if you have your own space to be you without thinking of others. Living with people means there are some compromises you need to make, so having your room will give you the freedom to be you without apologies.
Decorate your room with your style to make it feel your own. Additionally, it is okay to let people in your space sometimes but have a rule that they can only do so with your permission. Having such rules will create respect for personal things and space. Also, you can store personal belongings in your room instead of the shared space. Examples include your clothes, cosmetics, wholesale strip lashes, books, etc. Separating your things will prevent confusion and conflicts.
Spend Quality Time Together
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Living together makes you think you spend time together, but you need to invest more time in your friendship. Quality time with friends means intentionally spending time together while doing activities like playing games, going for walks, shopping, home improvements, watching a movie, etc. Quality time builds relationships and makes them strong. You will get to know your friend better and understand their strengths and weaknesses.
You can even have a schedule where you plan for dates, mini-vacations, cookouts, and so on. Ensure the time you are planning everyone is free to prevent compromising each other. Make it a regular thing to do for your relationships. When you get to know each other even better, you prevent unnecessary conflicts when living together.
Have Mature and Honest Conversations
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When two or more individuals live together, they may encounter minor or serious challenges. It is relatively common for this to occur, so you must establish a culture of honesty and transparency. If a friend is doing something that irritates you, tell them about it and express how much it bothers you. You don’t have to be impolite; simply sit them down and tell them. If both of you are mature enough, you will solve the problem and reach an agreement.
Honest conversations are essential in any relationship, but they are crucial when you live together. Also, if your pals raise a concern about your habits, pay attention to them as well. When you let things slip when you’re angry, they pile up and cause disputes. Some friendships may not be able to withstand such a test.
Be Caring for Each Other
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Caring for your friend is a no-brainer; it is something that comes naturally if you love them. Friendships can sometimes be challenging, but putting your love first will make things easier. Caring for each other entails doing something that will make the other happy even before asking. Taking care of each other like siblings will guarantee a lasting friendship. For instance, you can do chores for them when they are sick or engaged at work.
Moreover, during special days like birthdays, you can give them something they would like. For example, if your friend enjoys skiing, you can buy them ski goggles. It is a simple but thoughtful gift.
Additional Tips
- Don’t discuss each other with one another.
- Respect each other’s personal things and space.
- If you borrow money, ensure you pay it back.
- Be considerate to each other.
Conclusion
Human beings are social beings, and friendship is a representation of that concept. One needs to have friends since they bring a different perspective of what you know. With these relationships, disagreements are inevitable, especially when living together. Remember to have ground rules set from the moment you decide to live together. Some of these rules are mentioned above. Follow this article to help you live with no conflicts with your friends.