My sister and I have shared a room for about 14 years, now. We’ve ridden out storms together, been sick together, and experienced our fair share of disasters. In a few years, we’ll probably look back on our years spent together and realize that they made us better people, but for now I’ll just lament some of the struggles we’ve faced thus far.
1. Sharing clothes.
This wasn’t as big of a deal when we were younger, but now that we’re the same size, it seems like every day a new article of clothing has gone missing from my side of the closet. The worst part? She never asks. I’d totally be up for sharing and swapping outfits if she would only ask permission beforehand, but no, I have to wake up and find the sweater that I wanted to wear missing because she decided it would look cute on her that day.
2. Using each other’s things.
This goes hand in hand with sharing each other’s clothes. Whether it’s a hairbrush, perfume, or phone charger, all you need to do is ask first. If you don’t, things will get violent.
3. The oldest gets the most.
When you share a room, you tend to share everything. However, sometimes something trickles down the pipe that is meant for one person and one person only. In our case? A new bed. We’ve both had the same twin beds practically since birth, and a few months ago it was finally time to upgrade one of ours to a full. My poor, sweet, naïve little sister actually thought she stood a chance.
4. Decorating the room.
Between the color of the walls to the posters you hang, sometimes you and your sibling just clash. However, it’s all about the give and take. Maybe let them hang up posters of that weird band they like so you can paint the room whichever color you like, or vice versa. You’re bound to want to redecorate in six months, anyway.
5. When friends come over
When your sibling has their friends come over, you are almost always banished to the den or the living room while they commandeer your shared space. Heaven forbid you have to re-enter your room to get a sweatshirt, or a book, or something; you risk the glare with the power of a hundred suns burning into you as you try to come and go as quickly as possible.
6. Playing music
Headphones were invented for a reason, people. Don’t blast your music if you share a room with someone else, especially if that someone doesn’t share the same music taste. If you do, someone is going to end up with a broken iPod.
7. Getting sick.
If your sibling gets sick, you are guaranteed to be next. Whether it’s a common cold or the stomach flu, it’s coming for you, and you better be ready.
8. Neat freak vs. slob.
There is a place for everything, and everything is in its place. At least, that’s what I try to practice in my room. Sure, every once in a while I’ll leave my bag on the floor or toss my sweatshirt on my bed, but they always get put back where they belong. My sister, on the other hand, leaves everything everywhere. Dirty soccer cleats? On the bed. Lunchbox? On the floor of the closet. Pajamas? Under my bed. Piles of laundry? On my bed. It’s madness, I tell you.
9. Sleep talking.
This doesn’t affect everyone, but when it does, it can be a serious problem. Sometimes my sister’s sleep talking is as innocent as rolling over and mumbling something random into her pillow that I’ll make fun of her for tomorrow, other times it’s more sinister. I once woke up at 3 a.m. to her kneeling on her bed, facing the wall, groaning loudly and stretching her arms above her head. (Basically, she looked like Regan mid-exorcism.) One of the scariest moments of my life, that’s for sure. But when you’ve shared a room with your sibling for as long as I have, things like that won’t even phase you.
