Living Alone vs Roommates
Who we do or don’t live with affects our everyday life and mental health. When in high school, it’s more likely that you would live with your family, but after graduation, many move to a college or get a job and move out of the house. At this time, it’s likely you would have at least one roommate. A couple years later, you may live on your own if you prefer it or still choose roommates. Either way has its perks and downfalls and greatly affects your life.
Roommates are great for anyone who craves being around others or doesn’t want to come home to an empty place at the end of the day. There is something especially personal about living with others. They see how you live - how you are when you get up in the mornings, your most stressful moments, your binge eating sessions, your tears, and your successes. They see it all. Roommates can be a great support system. In healthy living situations, your roommate is someone you can always go to at the end of the day. You can know coming home at the end of the day that you have someone who is in your corner. These beautiful relationships can be so helpful in maintaining a healthy mental health. I have had several conversations with people who are just struggling with isolation because they live alone. If this is you, consider getting a roommate!
On the other hand, there are reasons that many people don’t live with roommates their entire life (besides getting married) or choose to live alone. Just talking about toxic or hostile living situations for a moment, coming home to a roommate who doesn’t care or respect your boundaries or requests can be so draining. You should never have to dread coming home. If you are in a toxic living situation, please talk to your support system and landlord to see what you can do about getting out of it.
Living alone also has its perks. Making a space completely your own can be rewarding. To know you're coming home to a place just your own can be relaxing. You can host people over with no hesitation, you don’t have to worry about being quiet during certain hours of the night, no schedules will clash with your own, and your mess is only your mess. In total, you control your living situation completely.
Personally, I have always lived with someone and have experienced all the highs and lows of roommates. I did want to live alone this year but ended up in a better situation with a couple girls. I know that overall, it will be better for me to live with others. This particular circumstance affects more than we may realize. Consider the pros and cons of living with others when you’re thinking about this decision. What is best for you and your mental health?
Challenges/Points:
Your living situation (alone vs roommates) affects more than you realize, especially when it comes to mental health.
Living with roommates gives you a support system you may not have in other areas of life, while living alone gives you complete control over your space.
Evaluate your current living situation. Decide whether it is the best for you right now and what you can do about it if it is not.
Questions:
What is your current living situation?
Do you think you’d prefer to live alone or with roommates?
Has your mental health ever been negatively affected by living alone or with roommates?
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