Over the holiday weekend, I moved out of a room I rented in a townhouse. I lived there longer than I've lived anywhere else (aside from parent's house). It was also my first time living with roommates (outside of college). That experience taught me a lot. I am thankful for that season of my life and I'll be honest and say I am so thankful it is over. My lessons:
1) Compromise
Ah yes. That word. No one I know likes it however, it is so important for the workplace and any relationship and especially a living arrangement. I want one thing, a roommate wants another, we reach an agreement all can live with. Done. It really is that easy when you think of others and don't act so selfishly. Last week while packing, they wanted to pack the whole kitchen seven days before moving. I did not since I still had to eat. We came to a compromise in that everything but a few glasses and bowls were packed. We both won.
2) Communication
In order to get along with others, communication (and respect) is key. Absolutely key. I learned it is better to just get your frustration, disappointment, etc. right out in the open. Why? Because if you bottle that stuff up, it will explode like a volcano and the result will not be pretty. Just have the unpleasant conversation right when something happens instead of waiting.
3) Kindness
When you live with others, the nice things (like putting my dishes in the dishwasher or taking my clothes out of the dryer) are incredibly thoughtful and that act of kindness goes along way. One below freezing morning, my roommate left for work earlier than I did and while scrapping her windows, she scrapped mine as well. That one little act of kindness made my whole day.
Living with people is one of the hardest things I've ever done. So while I am talking about a living situation, all three things mentioned above are useful skills to have in any relationship and within the workplace.
One of the biggest things I learned is that we bring SO MUCH struggle and frustration upon ourselves. We really do. We have expectations of how things should go and refuse to accept things the way they are. Our attitudes turn sour, we speak terribly of people and situations. Much of life's circumstances are based on how we react. We do not have control over much of anything though we do have control over attitudes and reactions. What would happen if we let go of expectations, embraced the here and now and loved well? This is my challenge to you!
Even though this living arrangement taught me a lot, I am ready and on to new adventures and I simply CANNOT WAIT!
Have you lived with roommates (not husbands)? What lessons did you learn?
1) Compromise
Ah yes. That word. No one I know likes it however, it is so important for the workplace and any relationship and especially a living arrangement. I want one thing, a roommate wants another, we reach an agreement all can live with. Done. It really is that easy when you think of others and don't act so selfishly. Last week while packing, they wanted to pack the whole kitchen seven days before moving. I did not since I still had to eat. We came to a compromise in that everything but a few glasses and bowls were packed. We both won.
2) Communication
In order to get along with others, communication (and respect) is key. Absolutely key. I learned it is better to just get your frustration, disappointment, etc. right out in the open. Why? Because if you bottle that stuff up, it will explode like a volcano and the result will not be pretty. Just have the unpleasant conversation right when something happens instead of waiting.
3) Kindness
When you live with others, the nice things (like putting my dishes in the dishwasher or taking my clothes out of the dryer) are incredibly thoughtful and that act of kindness goes along way. One below freezing morning, my roommate left for work earlier than I did and while scrapping her windows, she scrapped mine as well. That one little act of kindness made my whole day.
Living with people is one of the hardest things I've ever done. So while I am talking about a living situation, all three things mentioned above are useful skills to have in any relationship and within the workplace.
One of the biggest things I learned is that we bring SO MUCH struggle and frustration upon ourselves. We really do. We have expectations of how things should go and refuse to accept things the way they are. Our attitudes turn sour, we speak terribly of people and situations. Much of life's circumstances are based on how we react. We do not have control over much of anything though we do have control over attitudes and reactions. What would happen if we let go of expectations, embraced the here and now and loved well? This is my challenge to you!
Even though this living arrangement taught me a lot, I am ready and on to new adventures and I simply CANNOT WAIT!
Have you lived with roommates (not husbands)? What lessons did you learn?
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