Friendship has always been a difficult thing for me. I can be selfish, rude, way too sarcastic, and I can take things way too far. These two girls have been there for me through the worst times of my life and also some of my best. To all college students deciding to live with their best friends, I advise you, DO NOT DO IT.
Heather was the type of friend who was brutally honest, even when you didn't want to hear it. She never sugar coated anything. Before living with each other we were pretty good friends, but living together absolutely destroyed our friendship. We started picking at each other and pointing out the other person's flaws. Thankfully we realized what was happening and took a step back from each other and now we're doing really well in our friendship.
Chelsea was honestly the closest friend I have had since I've been to college. Before we lived together we spent every single moment together. When deciding to live together we agreed it would be a great idea since we were practically together all the time anyway. We were fine at first, we bickered occasionally, but nothing we couldn't handle. Here we are almost a year later and we have no idea where our friendship went. Losing friendships through being roommates doesn't happen over night. It's normally a long drawn out process that you don't even realize is happening. I'm in no way saying chelsea is a bad friend, but when you live together and see each other so often you get irritated at the small things and you take your frustration out on them. I'm just as guilty as she is.
As much fun as it sounds in the beginning it is not always the greatest idea. Here are a few tips if you decide to live with your best friend:
1. Make sure you set apart time to be best friends. Don't skip on tradition, have cookie dough and Netflix nights regularly to remind them that they are your best friend.
2. Never stop confiding in them. When you have a rough time make sure you still go to them and keep them update on your life.
3. Remember to give them space. Make sure that you have alone time so you don't become annoyed with them.
4. Set ground rules from the start. As much as you want to believe you can just play it by ear, you can't. Knowing how often to do the dishes can save you from some serious fights.
5. Do not let your other roommates come between you. When you have a fight with them tell the person directly.
6. DO NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT ONE OF THEM TO THE OTHER. I cannot stress this enough. All it does it turn it into a big game of he said she said.
I love my friends dearly and I'm thankful that we could work things out in the end. My biggest advice of all is don't forget that they are your best friends, not just your roommates.
