Self-isolation is challenging as it is, but when you are spending 24/7 with your family or roommates, it can get even more interesting. It doesn't matter if you have an amazing relationship with the people you live with or not. We are all different and we all need our personal space but also a time when we want to hang out with others. Sometimes those two parts can clash with others and when you want to hang someone else might want to be by themselves. In that kind of situation, the tension can rise and with that, we can say or act rashly. Living with four other family members, I decided to share with you my tips on surviving self-isolation with others.
I live with my mom, dad, sister, and brother. We are all quite different and react differently to various situations. Just because we are family and we know each other pretty well, it doesn't mean that tension doesn't appear. We are all dealing with personal things besides the current situation and sometimes it is easy to forget that the other person might not feel as we feel. To prevent major arguments and tensions here is what could help you as well.
#1 RESPECT EACH OTHER's PERSONAL SPACE
Personal space is something we need to respect. The problem is that we see personal space as something as the name says personally. We often don't think about it from another person's perspective. We are ready to protect our personal space but forget that we need to do the same for others. The good thing is that there are some ways of realizing that you are actually invading someone's personal space. Most of us just can't hide our emotions and you can read them on our faces. Whenever you see that someone looks annoyed, confused, worried or uncomfortable it would probably be the best for you to leave them alone. Don't provoke or try to find out what is going on with them.
This will probably make them even more annoyed than they were. Remember that most of the time the problem isn't in you. They just don't feel cheerful and happy at that moment. Letting them work it out themselves is what will help your relationship unscratched. Another sign that you are invading someone's personal space is when their body gets stiff and they cross their arms near the heart area. Sometimes when we are being playful we don't realize that we are crossing the boundary. We need to have in mind that just because we feel like hanging out that doesn't need to be the case for another person.
#2 TALK IT OUT
We can't read minds, it is just impossible. That's why we have a gift of speech. We are the creatures that can communicate with each other with words, and somehow we tend to forget about it. So many misunderstandings wouldn't have happened if we only used words. Encourage conversation. When you don't feel like talking or hanging out then just say it. Sy that you just want to be left alone for some time and that it doesn't have anything to do with them, of course, if it really doesn't. If there is something that is bothering you about your roommate or family members than just tell them.
They probably don't even know that something is bothering you if you don't let them know about it. Something even more than you talking are you listening. To be able to realize where the problem is you need to let the other person talk as well but even more important you need to actively listen. Don't just pretend that you understand, actually try to. You will soon realize how many misunderstandings you manage to prevent from happening by just talking it out.
They probably don't even know that something is bothering you if you don't let them know about it. Something even more than you talking are you listening. To be able to realize where the problem is you need to let the other person talk as well but even more important you need to actively listen. Don't just pretend that you understand, actually try to. You will soon realize how many misunderstandings you manage to prevent from happening by just talking it out.
#3 BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY
We need to stay in touch with our own emotions and thoughts to be able to have a healthy relationship with ourselves but also with others. Whenever you notice that you are getting annoyed and angry it may be for the better to distance yourself from others if it can lead to an argument. After you calmed down and your annoyance was caused by someone else then now is the time to go back to tip #2 and talk it out. This is the best way to prevent any kind of impulsive decisions. When our emotions are too high, we don't tend to think straight. In that kind of situation, we can say what we don't mean and hurt someone who didn't even know was doing anything wrong.
I recommend finding space that you can isolate yourself in and where you feel safe and calm. Whenever you start to get overly emotional or nervous go to that place and spend some time there until your mind gets clear. Use that time to get in touch with your emotions and really dig deep to see where the problem started. Most of the time you will realize that there wasn't a big problem, to begin with, but because of the current situation, it ended up feeling worse than it was. Use any kind of method that suits you to prevent unnecessary arguments and tensions.
How are you surviving self-isolation with others?
Have you had any unnecessary arguments?
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