The last two roommates I've had I have loved like crazy, but after about 2 years, I just wanted them to move out. I've been a bit concerned that this has happened, but after some thought, I've figured out what it is. Neither of them speak my love language. My love language is acts of service. Mostly for me (at least at this point) this means cleaning up the house. Neither of my last 2 roommates have cared one whit for the state of the house. Occasionally they'll clean their room, and they'll do some isolated chores, but not to the extent that fulfills my need for love. You have to get the dishes before they become a disaster, replace the toilet paper roll if you use it up, or clean your mail off the table. Maybe part of the problem is that I see it as a problem before they do, and that's ok. I just really want someone around who is willing to show me I'm loved in the way I need. My last roommate was my sister and I told her straight up that my love language was acts of service. She looked me in the eye and said she couldn't speak it or receive it. I thought that was a bit harsh considering she's a therapist by trade. She was a physical touch person. Do you know how hard it is to give physical touch to someone you don't feel love from? My current roommate is a quality time person. The introvert in my doesn't love that, especially since she doesn't get home until about a half an hour before bed and then wants to talk for an hour when I'm worn out from the day and am shutting down.
It probably is my fault that my roommate doesn't understand. I have a hard time coming right out and telling people that what I really need from them is to keep the house clean. I shouldn't have to be my roommate's mother, we are adults after all, right? But I should be less passive aggressive and find a way to tell them without being rude. That will have to be something I work on.
Sadly, (or happily, depending on how you look at it) my roommate will be moving out in about a month. While it's nice to be alone for a bit, my need for love won't diminish. And I really need someone emotionally, even if I can survive financially without a roommate. And then I'll run into this problem all over again. But I really don't want to live alone.
2 comments:
Oh Nikki Roo. :( I've found living alone to be pretty liberating (and I'm an extrovert), but I do sometimes miss the camaraderie of roommates. Hang in there!
I've lived alone also. It's just better for me to be with someone else.
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