Bathroom Etiquette

Five people. One bathroom. Yes ladies and gentlemen... One shower. One toilet. One sink.

Talk about a tough scenario. I wish I could tell you that sharing a bathroom always works out, but there have been too many times when I've gotten home late from work, had to pee SO BADLY, and someone else was in the shower. And I know each of my roommates would say the same. For anyone else in a similar situation... I am truly sorry.

But, its a fact we have to deal with. So instead of just complaining, we tried to come up with a system that would cut back on issues. We have the "ask first" policy in our apartment. If we're about to jump in the shower, we simply check in with the roomies to see if anyone needs to use the bathroom before we take it over. This is considerate for others and it also makes it so you don't have to feel rushed during your nightly routine. We've also found its helpful to split up who showers when. Two of us tend to shower in the morning, two at night, and one SUPER late at night. This rotation keeps the hot water allowance spread out, and leaves the bathroom available more.

Then there's the issue of having three girls who all (yes we admit it) need a mirror in the morning. But there's a super easy solution to this. Throw down $20, go to Target, and grab a door mirror! Now, I can just do my hair and makeup in the bedroom instead of needing the bathroom space for twenty minutes. Easy, convenient, efficient. Problem solved.

Now lets get down to the dirt. Literally. There are so many little things that can make a bathroom disgusting. Its really not cool to put everyone in that situation. Girls I beg you, do NOT leave your long, nasty hair strands in the shower drain. Guys, for the love of God, remember to flush. Seriously. And we've all been guilty of leaving a huge glob of dried toothpaste in the sink basin. How do you deal with this? It's actually really easy... don't do it. A person who can't clean up after themselves isn't responsible enough to be paying rent. I know, I know- you grew up with a mom who took care of all that for you. Too bad. Your roommates aren't your parents. So buy some Lysol, take out the trash bag, and learn how to properly wipe down all surfaces. Your roommates will appreciate it and you might find that a clean bathroom makes you feel better too!

Appreciate People

What does it mean to actually see the best in someone else? It's definitely something you have to do intentionally.  

It isn't ignoring a person's failures or drawbacks. That's not healthy for any kind of relationship. Let's be real people- we all screw up. No point in expecting otherwise from the people around us, or even ourselves. But choosing how we view people has a significant impact on the health of your roommate relationships. 

It's really a three fold process:

I. Look for what you admire 

The very large majority of people you meet will have some sort of good character traits and qualities. It's important to pick out something in them that you respect, early on in the friendship. It makes it easier to accept the things about them that you don't like about them so much. 

II. Remember that differences are strengths 

This is huge. Seriously. If everyone was the same as me, no one would pass Economics class. So we definitely don't want that. Just because we don't relate to a personality on an individual level doesn't mean we can't see the value of that personality. I'm not laid back, but boy oh boy am I glad that there are people who are! 

III. Uplift and Encourage

Let people know you value them. Simple as that. If your roommate makes time to have a movie night with you, thank her. If he takes the trash out on his way to work, tell him you appreciate it. It keeps the apartment vibe uplifting and it creates opportunity for dialogue during the conflicts.