Everyone, at some point in their life, will live with another person; life with a roommate can be very complex at times. Some of us have had horror stories; roommates who switched their shampoo with shaving cream, who steals their things, or is constantly angry. However, others live with roommates who turn into family. I strongly believe that life is meant to mold you and that it is important to embrace every new experience. Living with another person is not easy; however, after living with several roommates, I have learned several important concepts.

1. Clean is Key

I would argue that the majority of conflicts between roommates stem from some sort of cleaning-related issue. Whether that's taking out the trash, deep cleaning the house before one's parents come over, or cleaning the mountain of dishes in the sink, most arguments involve some topic of hygiene in the home. There are some roommates who were born with the understanding that when the trashcan is overflowing and smells horrendous, to take it out, while others attempt to stack trash around the bin, with hopes that it will simply disappear from sight. After living with roommates, I have learned that everyone has their own idea of how long dishes can stay in the sink and remain untouched; furthermore, when that "time" has come for certain individuals, fighting may often be the result. Staying on top of cleaning is key as no one wants to live in filth. After living with several roommates, I learned that "clean is key" to a happy home.

2. More Is Not Always Merrier

Ever heard of the phrase, "More is merrier"? Well, that is definitely not always the case when choosing a place to live. Some people flourish in a home of four or five roommates, while others fear it. Figuring out what kind of roommate you are, and the best kind of environment to live, is one of the most important things when finding a new place. If your prefer a quiet home, privacy, and a clean environment then living with several roommates may not be the best idea for you. After living with several roommates, I have learned that for myself, I live best with less people. I prefer a balance between a quiet home and one filled with people. Roommates can either bring joy or tension; therefore, it's important to find people you are comfortable with in a place where you feel safe.

3. Choose Your Battles

Crazy, un-rational, or even just strange roommates are not an uncommon experience for people to have; I have heard stories of roommates who only do their laundry at two in the morning, organize their food alphabetically in the refrigerator, or are simply anal about every little thing. No one is perfect and everyone gets annoyed by something, which is why choosing your battles is crucial. It's important to ask yourself before getting into a fight, "Why am I angry? Can I fix it myself? And Is this argument worth it?" Understanding that you do not have to "win" every argument, or that you do not always be right, can lead to a happier home environment and even personal growth. After living with roommates, when tension is high due to little squabbles, which can easily manifest into a larger and potentially avoidable argument, picking one's battles is an important thing to learn which can help to diffuse the situation.

4. Do Not Talk Shit In The Home

Now this would seem like an obvious thing to not do; I mean, how hard is it to be kind and civil in the household? Well, for some, this is quite a challenge as people sometimes forget or simply stop caring about what they say around each other. Personally, I do not understand why one would even risk being overheard, in the home, by the roommate they happen to be talking negatively about. However, I understand that everyone gets annoyed and sometimes all you need is a good venting session with a friend. Even with that being said, I would highly recommend taking any negative talk outside of the home, or better, confront and deal with the issue dead on. You don't want to tolerate a lot of little annoyances that simply manifest into an explosion for no reason.

Roommates are special as they see a very personal and domestic side of one another. That is why its important to contribute to the household environment in a positive way. Everyone is different in their needs and quirks; therefore, communication is key among roommates. Whether you live with one person or four, its important to embrace every experience and use it as a way to grow. After living with roommates, I have learned a great deal about manners, respect, and myself.