5 Communication Hacks for a Happy Coliving Experience
Authored by : Grishma Raj I 05-07-2024 I 15 min
Coliving spaces offer the best living spaces combining affordability and comfort. The best pgs across India serve students and young professionals looking for accessibility, convenience, and a feeling of community. Coliving provides an affordable, socially engaged living environment.
But just like any shared living situation, communication is key to a harmonious experience.
Here are 5 communication hacks to ensure your coliving adventure thrives:
1. Speaking out the ground rules
Before settling in the pg completely, it is advised to set the ground rules initially. You can create an open discussion that sets expectations of all your roomamtes at the same time give a sense of community right from the start.
You can hover some key topics like:
Cleaning and Chores: Divide chores fairly. You can create a chore chart to ensure everyone takes a charge and co-operates.
Kitchen Etiquette: Discuss food sharing, sorting out personal items, and cleaning up after yourself.
Common Area Usage: Talk about how common areas like kitchen, balconies, or study rooms will be used. Make sure you also give plenty of room for sharing.
Be flexible and document the agreed-upon points.
2. Have the conversation:
Coliving spaces are the right places for social interaction. But how do you navigate small talk and build rapport with your roomies? Don't be afraid to initiate conversations. Ask questions about their day, interests, or weekend plans.
Find Common Ground: Look for shared interests, hobbies, or even just a love for the same takeout place. These can spark meaningful conversations and build connections.
Be a Good Listener: Actively listen to your housemates, show interest in their lives, and offer support when needed.
Embrace Cultural Differences: Coliving spaces often attract people from diverse backgrounds. Be open to learning about different cultures and traditions.
3. Organize celebrations together:
Potlucks or Movie Nights: Ideate fun activities every week so that all of you can get to know better. Potlucks are a great way to share cultural dishes, while movie nights offer a chance to unwind together.
Celebrate Birthdays: A birthday cake or a small gift exchange shows you care and strengthens connections.
Offer Help When Needed: Did someone lock themselves out or need help with a recipe? Lend a helping hand and build a spirit of cooperation.
Be Respectful of Personal Space: While encouraging interaction, respect your housemates' need for privacy.
4. Be a good listener and settle agreements
Disagreements are natural when staaying together in coliving pg. Here's how to handle them effectively in a coliving space:
Active Listening: If your house mate is going through tough times, it is vital you actively listen and take the first initiative to communicate.
Find Common Ground: Be willing to compromise and find a solution that works for everyone involved.
5. Make sure to have a rapport with all residents:
Coliving spaces have a diverse group of people. So expanding your social circle will be easy but make sure you do it without hesitation:
Always say a hello: Don't be shy about introducing yourself to everyone in the coliving space. A simple hello can go a long way.
Join Events: Best coliving spaces like Settl. organizes social events or activities. So it is best to participate in the meetings to co-ordinate with new people and build connections.
Remember, communication is a two-way road. By being open, respectful, and solution-oriented, you can navigate any communication hurdle and create a happy and thriving coliving experience.
So practice being a good communicator, respect your roommates' uniqueness, and transform your paying guest space into a home.
Thanks for reading!
