How To Spend Time Alone In Your Apartment

Living with roommates certainly has its benefits, like saving money on rent and other household expenses. If you’re lucky, you’ll also have someone to decorate, clean and hang out with. So much so that when they’re gone for an extended period of time you might find yourself wondering how to keep yourself busy at home alone.

If you’re an introvert and don’t relate to this feeling as much, you may be wondering how to get alone time when you have roommates. Having other people around all the time can feel overwhelming. You’ll need to intentionally carve out your alone time, especially if you live in a small space. 

Regardless of which of the above descriptions applies to you, in this article, we’ll discuss ways to make spending and getting alone a little easier. Here are some tips for carving out alone time when you have roommates and how to keep yourself busy at home alone. 

What To Do When Home Alone

Whether your roommates are finally out of the house or you’re looking for ways to enjoy yourself living solo, here are some fun activities to consider while you’re home alone. 

Enjoy a Spa Night

Self-care is always a nice use of alone time. Run a bubble bath, pour a glass of your preferred beverage, try some new skincare products and enjoy some gentle stretching. You could also shift focus from skin to hair with a nourishing hair mask. You’ll feel relaxed and refreshed after your me time.

Make a New Recipe

Have a dish you’ve been dying to make? Now’s the perfect time to try it out. You’ll be able to use the kitchen without worrying about anyone else. If your roommate won’t be home for another day or two, you can also enjoy the luxury of skipping the dishes until the next day.

Relax With a Book or Movie

Escape into a book, movie or TV show that you love. You’ll have the living space all to yourself and won’t have to worry about distractions. You also won’t have to worry about keeping the volume down or someone judging your guilty pleasure shows. 

Try a New Hobby

This is the perfect time to start that hobby you’ve always wanted to try. Maybe it’s painting, learning to play an instrument or testing out a new video game. The world is your oyster! Plus, you won’t be confined to your room to do so and can take advantage of the larger, shared space.

How To Live With Roommates as an Introvert

If you’re an introvert, you’ll need alone time to rest and recharge no matter how much you love your roommates. Here’s how to get alone time when you have roommates so you can live more comfortably. 

Set Boundaries and Stick to Them

Clear and honest communication is key to a healthy roommate relationship. When you first move in together, have a conversation with your roommate about how and when you’d like to socialize. 

Set clear boundaries to let your roommate know when you are and aren’t available. For example, you might be free to chat in the morning but need time to decompress at night, or vice versa. Be sure to ask about your roommate’s boundaries and preferences as well. Chances are they need time to recharge too! 

You should also set expectations regarding guests. Some people enjoy having friends over any time, but many introverts find an apartment constantly full of guests to be stressful. Have an open discussion about this early on and find a compromise that works for both of you. 

 

Go for a Walk

If you feel like you need some alone time sooner rather than later, try going for a walk around the block. This will give you an opportunity to get some fresh air and some exercise, both of which can help reduce stress. 

It’s also a great opportunity to get to know the neighborhood, listen to your favorite music, catch up on podcasts or call a friend. Incorporating regular walking or exercising is a great way to ensure you always have some alone time. 

Plan Around Each Other’s Schedules

Communicate with your roommate about your schedule each week. This will help you find opportunities to spend time alone. For example, if you know that your roommate will be on a date on a certain night, that’s a great time to plan a movie night alone. If your roommate is a night owl, plan to get up a little earlier to enjoy time alone while they’re still asleep. 

Over time, you’ll find a routine that works. 

If your roommate is a close friend, it may be nice to plan time to hang out with them when you’re feeling up to it. Enjoying the occasional movie or dinner together reminds your roommate that it’s not personal when you need time alone. This gesture can help strengthen your bond without stepping too far out of your comfort zone. 

Create Separate Workspaces

If you and your roommate are both working from home, make sure you have separate workspaces. You might have to get creative if you’re living in a small apartment. Hanging curtains or putting up room dividers can help create a more private area for each of you. 

Invest in Quality Headphones

For many introverts, noise in their apartment feels overwhelming, even if they’re spending time alone in their room. High-quality noise-canceling headphones will help you relax and recharge, regardless of what’s going on in your apartment. 

Find Your Next Apartment with Southern Management

At the end of the day, learning how to live with roommates as an introvert or how to spend time alone as an extrovert requires the right balance. Finding that happy medium can be challenging. The key is building a routine that works for everyone and communicating your needs with those around you. 

At Southern Management, we’re here to help you find your next apartment in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. metro areas. Whether you’re looking to live alone or with roommates, we have options for you. 

Reach out to our team today to learn more about our communities or schedule a tour. We can’t wait to welcome you home!