When Your Friends Are Your Family

I honestly have to say that I'm pretty blessed. When I moved from New Jersey to Maryland, I was fortunate enough to move right in with two of my closest friends. They are brothers in every sense of the word. I love them dearly, and I don't take our special friendship for granted.

However, sometimes it's not a good thing to place all that love and compassion within the same living quarters. I mean, usually we know our best friends inside and out. We know that they leave their clothes on the floor and they snore. At first glance we think we can handle it, but it's a difference between knowing something and actually living with it. There are countless stories where good friends moved in together and then became bitter enemies. I don't want that to happen. If you follow some guidelines, then you'll be able to keep the friendship intact.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

There's a phrase that goes something like this: "familiarity breeds contempt." Simply put, you don't appreciate what you are used to. That can be a killer for friendships. Remember to be respectful of your friend's space, property, etc. It's never any harm in asking if you can use something. Someone of the main arguments come with food. For example, someone buys some ice cream...and you barely get a scoop of it. Just a simple tip: we go by a "don't open it, don't finish it" rule. If the ice cream hasn't even been opened yet, be sure to ask if you can have some, and don't eat the last scoop. This promotes sharing without making everything free game in the fridge.

Keep Your Own Life

It's one thing when your best friend lives down the street. Then visits become a novelty. But when you live with them, it can get a little tiring at times. Be sure to give people space and to take advantage of your own space as well. Also, try to develop a circle or activity that doesn't involve your roomies. This way, you can still keep your life fresh and new without wearing your roommates out.