Living With Others

By Lev Novak

Living with others can be fun. It can also be stressful. Usually it’s some mix of both- Scott’s great, but has to wake up at 7:00. Josh is lame, but he has a car, and is always down to drive you. Connor is kind of a jerk but is also kind of great, and he totally set you up with Candace, so you owe him one.

People are complicated, and they generally have their upsides and problems. But, chances are, you’re living with them. So it’s best to get along.

Here, I can help. While people can be confusing, I myself am a person. Some of my best friends are people, too. So let’s get started.

1. Do More Than Your Fair Share Without Complaint

This is the number one important rule to having a happy apartment. And without complaint doesn’t mean you can grumble silently- it means you can’t be upset at all. Do your work cheerfully.

Why?

Because, nine times out of ten, what you consider more than your fair share, isn’t. Let’s say you bought the toilet paper…again. You remember that sort of thing- you let it stick with you in your grudge-zone for weeks. But you shouldn’t. Because, chances are, someone else bought garbage bags. Someone else cleaned the kitchen. Someone else had to clean the bathroom after you because you totally don’t use the shower curtains right.

That’s why you can’t be mad. I’m sure you do a lot for your house- but so do your housemates. It might be invisible to you, and even if you notice, you’ll likely forget, but they do. It’s best to take note, compliment them, and count your blessings.

And if you feel like you’re doing less than your fair share, tell them. Apologize. Buy some beer. Because if you notice you’ve been doing less, I can promise you that they have, too.

2. Communicate

Do not let stuff fester in your house. Instead, communicate your issues quickly and pleasantly. If it bothers you, include yourself in it too- that’ll promise it works.

Let’s say you never take the recycling out as a house and that bothers you. Do not lease a post-it not telling people to do it. That is the worst. Don’t send a Facebook message. That’s a little less bad, but it still isn’t great. Instead tell them- face to face- that you’d like to take out the recycling and can they help.

Don’t command anyone to do anything. Instead, take the lead. It’ll get done, you’ll get help, no one will be mad, and everyone will be impressed. This is a lot better than being mad for a month.

3. Don’t Make a Chore Chart

Everyone hates them, nobody respects them.

4. Do Make a Tally Where People Can Chart Stuff

Instead, create a situation where people can put down what they’ve done- that way everyone’s accomplishments will be recorded, you can get paid back for the toilet paper you bought, and best of all, no “fun” cardboard wheel telling you what to do with your Saturday.

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