5 Co-Living Etiquette – For a Happier Life

It would be easier if you always assume the best of everyone you meet. Don't take it personally if your housemate forgets to do that thing they promised or forget to say hello when they pass by – they could just be accidents as people tend to be immersed in their own worlds sometimes. Or maybe they are simply tired or had a bad day at work. If this becomes a repeated habit and someone you co-live with keeps on making mistakes or act offensively, then you should probably try and talk with them about it instead of reciprocating the same act.

You're probably a digital nomad with an emerging startup with no one to assist you, making you super busy all the time – but, try to make time in your schedules to spend some time with your co-living mates. Talk about your hopes and fears and solve problems together – maybe you could offer to do the dishes after they prepare a delicious meal. The more you hang out with your housemates, the more you'll know each other's quirks which in turn would make shared community living more appealing to everyone within the household. Have one or two outings or organise a weekly gathering. Support each other and create a haven to which everyone can look forward to returning to each day.

It's easy to say "sorry" when something happens to hurt someone; even tiny things like eating someone else's food that was in the fridge – but these things may build up and create larger problems that would be too difficult to solve later on. If you communicate proactively and discuss things such as food sharing, storage, and set boundaries on certain matters at the very beginning, unpleasant situations can be avoided, and you could enjoy the facilities at your co-living accommodation such as lyf by Ascott quite happily with your housemates.

"Respect" is a sensitive factor in many situations that could quickly escalate into something unpleasant. If you communicate with respect, without harbouring a condescending tone, people will also treat you in the same way. If you model pleasant and respectful behaviour, people would most often than not mirror it – this would, in turn, help everyone to interpret the co-living arrangement as something to look forward to rather than a dreading situation to which they should return every day.

People come in various shapes and personalities – you just have to accept that. No matter how like-minded you are, there will still be quirks of yours that you might sometimes find annoying. But the beauty and the unique nature of a group depends on these differences and learning to accept your housemates for who they are is an important factor when it comes to co-living.