Nadine Lustre’s been the talk of the town again for her response on the issue of whether she and boyfriend James Reid are living together. Maybe you agree with her. Maybe you don’t. But we really can’t deny that cohabitation is common place nowadays, especially for young couples.
But the real issue shouldn’t just focus on the act of living together—it’s important to consider how people live together, too. Whether it’s with a significant other, a friend, or even a roommate, the way you all move in your shared space needs careful consideration.
To make living together a peaceful affair, here are some tips.
Discuss routines and sleeping habits. Save yourself from a literal rude awakening. Before living together with someone, find out if they tend to wake up early, if they’re deep or shallow sleepers, or (worse,) if they snore. This way you can both be prepared and can even find a compromise. For example, if you’re rooming with someone who needs to be up early, you can discuss with them rules on setting alarms: Don’t set too many and keep on snoozing them, or keep them ringing—it’s disrespectful for your roommate as for sure they’ll be woken up by it, too.
Set expectations on cleanliness. You might be fine with keeping dishes piled up in the sink the whole day, but your roommate might not. Before you start living with someone, know what your expectations are from each other to avoid any ugly fights. Take responsibility for your messes, and if there’s a cleaning chore you’d rather not do, talk to your roomie so you can manage how to deal with it.
How you de-stress. Do you enjoy watching TV at the end of the day? Or maybe you’d rather have peace and quiet, and have some time to meditate. Understanding how your partner, roommate, or friend spends their down time to relax is key in living harmoniously with them. Respect their me-time, and they’ll likely return the sentiment.
Diets. Check if the person you’re living with has special diets. If they’re following a gluten-free or vegan diet, for example, you can help them by simply keeping your common food items labeled properly. It’ll also be nice to be sensitive to them by not attempting to dissuade them out of it, or by tempting them with food they’re not supposed to or cannot eat.
Finances. Since you’ll be sharing a space with someone, paying for expenses should naturally be shared as well. Discuss with your roommate how you’ll be splitting bills. It would also be best if you’re transparent with them about your budget or capabilities so that you can both manage living expenses properly.
More than anything, it’s important to keep communication lines open between you and your roommate. As they say, you never really know someone until you live with them—whether they’re your significant other, or even your best friend. Problems can be avoided or more easily solved as long as both parties are on the same page.
All photos courtesy of Unsplash.
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Writer: PAULINE MIRANDA
