How do you do your own conflict mediation with your roommates if you live off campus?
Getting along with roommates can be tough, especially if you don’t have school resources to fall back on for conflict mediation. That’s why it’s important to be honest with yourself and others when something is bothering you. Before bringing other people into the situation, I’d suggest reflecting a bit on your own state of mind. Are you really mad at your roommate or are you actually mad about the weather, your classes or your last tinder date? It can be all too easy to take out your baggage on the people you live with. So be mindful of what else is going on in your life before you send that text about the dishes. With that being said, you also shouldn’t bottle it up when there really is a problem. Get comfortable talking to the people you live with about the things that are upsetting you, and give them the opportunity to do the same. Allow yourself to think about what your roommates have to say without getting defensive. You can’t control how the people around you will handle conflict, but you can certainly set the right tone by being level headed and respectful. Best of luck with your roommate situation!
-Mia