Many of us have been, well if you haven't, you are one of the lucky ones.
Whether it being University or finally moving out of your family home with who you thought were your friends.
Sometimes things don't work as you imagined and that's okay.
You have this expectation that you will get on with everyone and you will all be friends, that is the case for some people but I can only tell you on one hand how many people actually have that experience.
From my experience having to live with strangers much older than me, it was interesting to say the least.
Maybe older but definitely not wiser.
Thinking of having to live a whole year with people who you particularly don't like sounds like a nightmare you are never going to wake up from.
But just think after this year or two, you can leave there's a door for a reason.
Feelings can change and you aren't tied down to live with them forever and I have a few little tips that got me through my first year at University.
I was lucky my flatmates weren't the worst in some ways compared to some of my friends (they definitely had it worse).
Everything counts on how you react to situations, I hate to say it but by being the bigger person you allow more peace that you probably wouldn't have if you said what you actually thought.
If you feel lonely where you live and putting effort doesn't work and they simply aren't meant to be, asking to see someone for an hour maybe after a lecture, work or a neighbour just so you have company can help form new connections.
Separating the two can fill the void of your brain telling you that you are alone in that place even though there's another six people swarming in and out of that shared kitchen.
Making an effort with outsiders will definitely make you feel out of your comfort zone definitely but that's where the best things happen.
It's not something you will look back and regret because it's a learning curve about you and them.
When it comes to sharing spaces with other people sometimes you feel like its not partly yours because everyone's stuff is everywhere and there's always one that leaves their cutlery with their crusty meal laid spilling food on the side, ew.
Have your own little space whether it's a corner or a worktop just somewhere where you can be in your own little world that's actually clean and where your stuff is.
Little things like this make you feel more at ease when you've had a long day and the last thing you want is to be stared at making food and feeling uncomfortable.
Another thing is that people pleaser, make your life easy.
This is the only time I'll let you be.
If there is a routine of who does jobs, just do those bins or sweep the floor then you don't have people down your throat.
It's just one less stress and confrontation lifted already without even having to engage with them.
On the other hand don't run around after everyone, I know you want the communal areas tidy but if five out of six not including you, want to be like pigs let them because as long as your space is all nice who cares?
The more you clean up after them the more messy they get.
Trust me, I learnt the hard way.
You didn't pay or sign up to be a cleaner and I don't see them doing it for you?
My biggest piece of advice is be you.
Sounds cliche and cheesy but I love it because why not be you.
Everyone lives and acts differently as long as you are not nasty about how you go about your life, I don't see why you should change.
People are brought up in different ways which a lot of the time why people clash, some people haven't even washed a pot until they moved out.
You can play the blame game but only play the game with yourself, be you and do as you please.
It's your space and you are living there.
You have every right for it to be a nice environment because that's where you go at the end of the day to escape from the world's craziness.
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