If you have roommates, you might be counting yourself lucky during this time of quarantine. Or if you don’t get along with your roommates, you might be feeling quite the opposite.
Either way, it’s important to talk to your roommates during this time of crisis.
Here are three reasons to talk to your roommates during quarantine, even if you don’t get along.
Check-in with each other
During quarantine, many people are drinking way too much alcohol. And not only can this cause personal issues, but it can also interfere with your roommate’s ability to pay rent or function as a considerate person.
So if you notice that your mates are drinking too much, it may be time to talk about it. Maybe you can plan other activities that don’t involve alcohol (for everyone’s sake).
When dealing with alcohol or drug use, peer pressure can be strong. Try applying some pressure on healthy alternatives instead. And at the very least, stand your ground so you don’t end up with a drinking problem on the other side of all this.
Talk about COVID risks and exposure
You may be social distancing and quarantining, but if your friends are hanging out with people in other households, it can put you at risk. This is especially important if you are part of the vulnerable population. Just keep in mind that not everyone can control their exposure, especially if your roomies are essential workers.
If your roommates are at high risk for contracting the virus, or if you are, talk about how to minimize risk within the household. It may involve ramping up the cleaning schedule and quarantining within a space in the home or apartment.
You may also want to have a plan for what to do if someone is showing symptoms. The safest thing is for that person to quarantine in their own room, but the roommates will have to agree to take food and water to the person who is sick. There must be some communication between you in order to stop the spread. It is possible for only one person in the household to get sick if you are very careful.
Share some human connection
So many people are struggling in isolation right now because they are truly isolated. Even the most introverted among us need some human connection every now and again. So even if you aren’t close with your roommates, now is a good time to make a connection.
Consider doing a game night or some other type of organized hangout. This can make isolation feel less lonely. It could also offer an opportunity to slow down and bond with the people who share your home. And if you typically don’t get along, it’s also an opportunity to work on your conflict resolution skills (though no one is ever looking forward to that opportunity).
This COVID pandemic has changed our lives in so many ways, but if we can slow down and look at the blessings in our lives, we may just come out with better people.
Hang in there, talk to your roommates, and we’ll get through this together.
