How to ignore the person you live with

Content

Steps
Method 1 of 4: How to Minimize Communication
Method 2 of 4: How to get along in the same space with this person
Method 3 of 4: How to Support Yourself
Method 4 of 4: How to Change Your Home Environment
Tips

If you don't get along with any of your siblings or your roommate, from time to time you probably just need some space and the opportunity to be alone. Try to spend some time apart from your roommate or annoying brother - this will allow both of you to clarify your thoughts and reflect on your behavior towards each other. If you decide to start ignoring your annoying neighbor or relative, distance yourself from him both physically and emotionally. Find ways to ignore his or her bad habits and learn to control your emotions. As soon as you are ready for this - talk to this person to come to a peaceful agreement and compromise.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: How to Minimize Communication

1 Answer his questions briefly and politely. If you want to avoid conversations or end them as soon as possible, do not skimp on good manners. Be polite, but remember, you don't have to have long conversations. Show respect when communicating with the person, but immediately make it clear that you do not intend to talk for too long.
- For example, if a person asks you something, you can answer the banal "yes" or "no" without specifying the details.
2 Try to be neutral in your answers to his questions. And if the interlocutor annoys you with his words or actions, you may not answer him at all. Ignore him if he starts pestering you. This is especially true if a person enjoys pissing you off - just do not react to his behavior and do not let the person annoy you.
- Yes, living with a person who constantly gets on your nerves is unpleasant. For example, if your roommate wants to chat with you and you are not in the mood, simply say in a calm tone, "Sorry, I know you really want to talk about office drama, but this is not the right time for that."
- Don't overreact to the person. Just take a deep breath and respond in a calm voice.
3 Watch for non-verbal cues. If you're going to ignore the person, watch your body language. For example, try not to roll your eyes, mumble to yourself, or give the other person disdainful, disappointed looks. Even when we don't say anything, body language betrays our reactions.
- Make sure that your facial expression, gait and overall posture are completely natural. Do not strain and do not change your facial expression, no matter how the interlocutor tries to piss you off.
4 React calmly to hurtful words. Yes, it is very difficult to ignore a person if he is being violent or rude. If the person tries to offend you or is disrespectful to you, it is perfectly reasonable to simply ignore these comments if you do not want to get upset or conflict again. If a person throws angry and insulting words at you, and you do not want to waste your energy on an argument with a person, respond with complete silence.
- You can ignore his words or just say: "I'm not interested in participating in this discussion, especially when you start raising your voice to me." And don't answer anything else.
- Don't allow the person to vent their negative emotions on you.You can imagine that you are in a huge bubble that protects you from the attacks and criticism of this person.

Method 2 of 4: How to get along in the same space with this person

1 Wear headphones if the person is being too loud. If you need to somehow ignore it when it makes noise, just put on your headphones and listen to music. To cool off a little, you can listen to pleasant and soothing music. If you want to tune in to a positive mood and have fun - listen to moving cheerful music.
- If your neighbor or family member is being too noisy, wear noise canceling headphones.
2 Divide the common space with partitions. Consider how you can physically isolate yourself from this person. For example, you can use different washrooms (if available) and not spend time in common rooms where your neighbor or annoying relative likes to sit. If he likes to watch TV in the living room, spend more time in his room and vice versa.
- For example, if your roommate occupies all the free space on your shared shelves with his belongings, agree that now each of you will have his own shelf that he can use.
3 Stick to a schedule that doesn't line up with your neighbor's. If he likes to sleep for a long time, wake up early so as not to bump into him and calmly get ready for work. If he likes to be at home on the weekend, go for a walk more often these days. You can even make some changes to your usual schedule. For example, while your neighbor is brushing his teeth in the bathroom, you can sleep or have breakfast. Learn the usual schedule of your neighbor or relative and try to overlap with him as little as possible, especially if you have one bedroom for two.
- Go to bed and get up at different times. If you have about the same routine, make some small changes to yours: for example, go for a run in the morning to cheer up and get out of the house and thereby avoid contact with this person.
4 Spend more time away from home. One of the best ways to distance yourself from this person is to leave the house more often. Instead of going home right away after work or school, meet a friend, take a walk in the park, go shopping, or go to the gym. Spending less time at home can help you relax and keep your thoughts in order, and you definitely won't have to interact with an annoying neighbor or relative.
- Plan ahead for your free evenings after work or school, especially if you know your annoying neighbor will be at home. Plus, as a bonus, you can diversify your life!
- If you are a student, you can find hobby clubs and extra classes before or after pairs. Become a member of a research group, buy a gym membership, or find another interesting extra activity that you enjoy.
5 Avoid hanging out with the person you intend to ignore. Instead of doing things together, find something different for yourself. For example, if you usually watch TV together, start watching TV at a friend's house from that day on. If washing was a common activity for you before, start washing your clothes in a different place or at a different time. Just take a break and give up joint activities and activities.
- If this person expects that you are still “in business” (for example, that you will give him a lift somewhere), just tell him that you cannot, and he will have to come up with something else.
- If you have mutual friends with this person, you may have to take a break from communicating with this company for a while.

Method 3 of 4: How to Support Yourself

1 Take a few deep breaths. If you constantly feel anxious about the behavior and habits of an annoying roommate or relative, find ways to calm down and relax so you don't have to be in a bad mood at home every day. Start with the deep breathing technique - it helps you relax physically and emotionally. Inhale slowly at first, then exhale slowly.
- Take a few deep breaths in and out and note how you feel. If you still do not feel more calm and peaceful, repeat the exercise.
2 Exercise regularly to reduce your stress levels. This is especially true if you avoid the person with whom you live together and with whom you have trouble. Try different relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation. Making some time for fun and entertainment is a great way to relieve stress and have a good time.
- Exercise is another way to relieve stress and tone your body. If you're not keen on the idea of going to the gym, you can instead start hiking, cycling, or signing up for dance lessons.
3 Spend time with your friends. Try not to get into lingering conflicts and dramas with your roommate or annoying relative, just let go of the situation and have fun. Spending time with friends is a great opportunity to leave home for a while and chat with people who care about you. Regardless of whether you want to share your situation with them and discuss it or just want to distract yourself - friends are always there to help you.
- It can be helpful to talk to a trusted friend and talk to him about what’s going on. Supporting your friends can help relieve stress, even if they cannot actually help you and fix the situation.
4 Spend time alone. Think of it as an opportunity to spend some time alone with yourself. Try something new and take the time to get to know yourself better. A little time on your own can even do you good - it's a great opportunity to unleash your potential and increase your productivity.
- You can start journaling or drawing.
- If you don't have your own room, you can spend time alone, going for a walk and getting out of the house more often.
5 Talk to a psychologist. If the living conditions that have arisen only increase the level of stress and it is difficult for you to deal with it - it's time to see a psychologist. It will help you cope with stress and better control your emotions. In addition, a psychologist may teach you some skills for effective and more productive communication.
- Find a good psychologist on the Internet or ask someone from your friends or relatives to advise you on a competent specialist in this matter.

Method 4 of 4: How to Change Your Home Environment

1 Consider your options. You may be trapped like this because you have to live with a relative, because you are a minor, or simply because you are bound by a lease with the person. Consider if there are any alternatives, even temporary. You might be feeling stumped, but chances are there are several options that could help you. Brainstorm and consider possible alternatives, assess how realistic they are.
- For example, if you live at home, consider whether it is possible to spend one evening a week with your cousins or sisters, or try spending the summer with your aunt.
- If you are connected to a person by a rental agreement, perhaps you could find another neighbor for yourself, or terminate the agreement and pay a forfeit.
2 Live temporarily elsewhere. If you have the opportunity to move to visit a friend for a while, do so.Yes, this is not ideal, but it will help you feel a little more freedom, and you can live at least a little apart from the annoying neighbor. After a little rest from a difficult living situation, you can sort out your thoughts and think about how you can solve the problem and improve your living conditions.
- For example, if you live with one of the parents, ask if you can live with the other parent for a while, or at least just visit him. Or consider if you can have more sleepovers with your best friend.
- This is a temporary solution. Take this opportunity to sort out your thoughts and think about a solution to the problem.
3 If you have an alternative, try to move out. If the situation becomes unbearable and you do not want to be with this person under the same roof for another day, consider whether there is an opportunity to move out. Yes, you may not be able to move out right now, but you can start planning your move. If you care about your roommate or relative, think about how living together will affect your relationship in the future, positively or negatively. If moving can improve or even save your relationship, then it really is a good option.
- Relocation may not be possible if you are a minor, if you have absolutely insufficient funds and you are completely dependent on your family.
- You may need some kind of temporary solution until you find a new home and solve the financial issue.

Tips

If you live with a family member or a friend who really cares about you, consider going to a counselor together to improve your relationship. If you are important to each other, it may be helpful for you to work through and overcome difficult life situations.
Decide when you are going to stop ignoring your neighbor or relative. If you plan to continue living with him, this situation cannot last forever. Take time for a serious conversation and discussion of the problem that has arisen.
Ignoring the person is a temporary solution, especially if you just had a fight or stopped getting along with each other. But if you have a serious conflict with a person and you cannot come to a common solution even after a period of rest from each other, you need to discuss this situation with a psychologist or think about moving.