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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at PSU chapter.

Uh oh, roommates gone wrong? 

While it might feel like the end of the world, it is possible to still live happily – there is no need to be miserable or run home. Besides, you don’t have to be best friends with your roommates! Here are some helpful tips on how to stay happy while living with toxic people. 

distance yourself

In my experience, I have found that staying out of the apartment really helps cool things down. Being around true friends or just enjoying me-time away from a toxic environment typically helps. 

Leaving the apartment and hanging out with friends who care about you, make you feel included, and uplift you is an amazing feeling on its own. When combined with a rocky roommate situation, it’s refreshing to have friends to lean on when you could use some space and support. 

Nevertheless, if no friends can hangout, take a walk, do some work at a coffee shop or anything that takes you away from the negativity. You should surround yourself with positive environments that better you and make you happy – do what it takes to make that happen! 

kill them with kindness

Never. Stoop. Down. To. Their. Level! 

Never forget that. 

No matter the case scenario, whether it be slamming doors in your face, talking bad about you, or even the silent treatment; treat them how you would want to be treated. Responding and reacting the way they do is just as bad. 

There are always going to be problems with roommates, big and small. Always be mature. Don’t forget that you have to live with them each and every day. Don’t do something that will make it more awkward than it already is. 

Likewise, you don’t have to go out of your way to be nice if you are not getting the same treatment in return. Speak when you enter a room, answer questions, and do your part around the apartment. Don’t think that you are the one to blame, both parties are accountable. All roommates most likely feel the tension, do what it takes to make living there not a complete nightmare. 

Living with someone new can be stressful, give yourself credit! 

Never forget your worth

Regardless of the issue, never lower your expectations or idea of self-worth. 

Whether you are just roommates or roommates and friends, you both need to be treated with respect. If you aren’t treated with respect, that is a huge issue and you need to speak up for yourself. 

You are both paying to live at your place, and it’s beyond reasonable to express your thoughts and feelings in a healthy way in order to achieve happiness in your living space. If you don’t like something your roommate does around the apartment, speak up, address the issue, and come up with a solution together.

Always address the problems before a big outburst occurs, and always do what makes you happy. 

Always put your happiness first. I hope that after reading this you take a look at your relationships and change them for the better. A relationship includes two people, if the effort is not there on both sides…. Leave it. Stop wasting your energy on people who do not deserve you!

Isabella Hunter is a Junior majoring in Advertising with a Digital Media Trends and Analytics minor. She has a strong love for the beach, blogging, and iced coffee.