Roommate

• This article is part of Quarter Life, a series about issues affecting those of us in our twenties and thirties.
• The articles in this series explore the questions and bring answers as we navigate this turbulent period of life.
• While both sides need to make a concerted effort, here are a few things you can do.

1. Reframe your problems

• While making a radical change such as moving out may be an option, reframing your thoughts is another way to take charge of this situation.
• A daily reflection on what went well during the day creates balance in our experiences.
• This helps you to build resilience and cope more effectively with these challenges.

2. Share a meal

• It’s true that eating together is a great social ritual and can bring people closer.
• But you only need a few minutes to share a bowl of cereal with your parents in the morning, or a quick fajita in the evening.

3. Savour the time

• Ensuring that you share quality time, or savouring the time spent together, will improve your relationship further.
• If you have depression or a physical illness, evidence has shown that savouring positive experiences may also reduce symptoms.

4. Commit acts of kindness

• Small acts of kindness benefit both those giving and receiving them, boosting happiness and self-regard (how positively we view ourselves).
• We can practise acts of kindness in many ways.

5. Practise independence

• Early and mid-20s are generally the time a young adult transitions to complete independence.
• Despite this challenge, young people living with their parents can do a lot to develop their independence and build emotional resilience.
• Staying at home with the folks can be conducive to building financial independence too, often providing additional capacity to save money.