SHHHH! You're gonna wake my roommates!

He told me to be quiet because there was a guy living in his closet. YES, a real, live guy living in the small space that was his walk-in closet. I mean, it's not so weird having someone crash on your living room couch or maybe even on an air mattress in your room, but to have someone living in your closet is a bit odd. Although, I'm sure that guy appreciated the little privacy he did have.

Some of the great things about living situations while you're young are: having funky transition periods where you move to new places with no job and have to couch-surf with friends; not making enough money to at least buy an apartment where everyone has their own room (been there, done that); and having to find a new place to live after your landlord just kicked you out for not paying rent-shment--he knew you were an aspiring actor. In any of these situations, it can be difficult to adjust to the crazy, hectic lifestyle that comes along with living with multiple people. It's not as simple as who cleans when and who gets what cabinet space. If you're a decent human being, you have to be mindful of making too much noise when you come in late after a night out, the smell from your fish tacos that fills up someone else's room, and the slamming of doors early in the morning as your roommate is just about to doze off after working a 15-hour overnight shift. You're right, it is your space; but if you're letting someone live with you out of the kindness of your heart, you need to be an adult about things and set some ground rules before you get the ball rolling.

When I moved to New York almost 2 years back, one of the first things me and my 3 roomies did was sit down and have a long discussion about who gets what space, setting rules and expectations, and coming up with a cleaning schedule...because no one likes living in a pigsty. Here are some things to keep in mind when you're not living alone:

1. You are NOT the only person living there
2. No one wants to hear you slam the door
3. So turn the doorknob when closing the front/bathroom/bedroom door
4. And make sure that you're not making a ruckus when you come in late
5. This isn't your mama's house
6. Put your dishes in the sink
7. Wash your own dishes and put them away
8. And if you're feeling generous, wash all the dishes
9. Then leave a note reminding everyone to return the favor by...
10. Taking out the trash when it's full
11. Wiping the counter after they spill hot sauce all over it
12. And not leaving food that will smell up the house in the garbage
13. You may or may not be the only one with a job that has normal hours
14. So don't take an hour long shower
15. And don't get ready in the bathroom when you have your bedroom
16. And most importantly, don't forget to spray and turn on the air vent/open the window
17. Just because it's in the refrigerator does not mean you can eat it
18. If you eat it, replace it ASAP
19. Be hospitable to guests...they're GUESTS for crying out loud!
20. Make people want to come back
21. And make sure that you let your roomies know when people will be coming over
22. Talk about the max amount of time people can stay and
23. What they can do to pitch in
24. If you don't want people using your things, then put them in your designated area
25. Because common spaces are just that...COMMON...meaning it's for everyone
26. Try not to forget your keys or lose them
27. No one is obligated to rush home just for you
28. COMMUNICATE!
29. There's no need to be passive-aggressive
30. Don't be the a**hole that no one wants to live with because you turn into Godzilla anytime something happens that you don't like

I know, it's challenging living with other people. You may not be able to walk around without pants or you have to scrub the tub when it's your turn every other week, but I promise that you'll live. Think of it this way: all the money you're saving on rent is money that you can use to not spend time at your apartment by going out and doing cool things like traveling and going to have fancy-shmancy drinks after work and going out for brunch on the weekends. Remember: keep it classy and don't get sassy.