We often think of home as a sanctuary—a place to breathe, unwind, and just be. But sometimes, the quality of your peace depends not on your home, but on who lives beside it.
I’ve lived through the entire spectrum—from warm, thoughtful neighbours to those who treat common spaces like their kingdom.
Living close doesn’t always mean living well. Whether it’s roommates, floor mates, or the building next door, how people behave in shared spaces can impact your daily peace in ways we underestimate.
Have you ever come home after a long, tiring day only to feel more drained just by who lives next door?
Sounds dramatic? Maybe. But ask anyone who’s ever had a difficult roommate or an entitled neighbour, and they’ll tell you—where you live is only half the story. Who you live around is the other half.
Let’s break it down.
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Living Under One Roof: Harmony or Havoc?
If you share a room or a house with someone, your peace of mind is directly tied to how well you get along with them. Friends, spouses, roommates, or siblings—when the chemistry works, it’s comforting. But when it doesn’t, every minute indoors feels like walking on eggshells.
And while roommates and partners may be chosen, that’s not always the case with siblings or hostel companions.
You may be stuck with someone whose energy completely clashes with yours. The tension doesn’t begin at breakfast or end at dinner. It simmers all the time.
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Same Building, Different Worlds
This is subtler but no less impactful. Neighbours on the same floor or the floor above may not share your space, but they can invade it. Think blaring music after midnight, door slamming, or hallway confrontations that ruin your mood before you’ve even left home.
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The Next Door Offenders
Now to the infamous “neighbour-next-door” type. They don’t live in your building, but boy, they still manage to make their presence felt.
I once had a neighbour who casually parked in my driveway without asking, because her guest had taken her slot. When I asked the guard to inform her, she didn’t come out to move her car; she sent the car keys.
Yes, I was expected to park her car somewhere, move my car into place, and pretend it was no big deal. No apology. No acknowledgement. No request. Just entitlement.
This is the same neighbour who, during an income tax raid, accused the watchman of tipping off authorities, without a shred of proof. The poor man bore the brunt of her paranoia. Unsurprisingly, she didn’t last long in the area.
When she left, many neighbours, including me, breathed a sigh of relief.
The Unseen Price of Proximity
It’s incredible how much emotional real estate our physical neighbours can occupy. A peaceful home is your safe space. But if those around you disrupt it—constantly and unapologetically—your sanctuary turns into a source of stress.
And it cuts across class, culture, and credentials.
Educated people can lack empathy. Well-off folks can be inconsiderate. Your location may be premium, but your peace might be in peril.
How Do You Deal
Set Boundaries. Respectfully, firmly.
Pick Your Battles. Not everything deserves your energy, but some things must be called out.
Guard Your Peace. Because that’s your responsibility.
You can’t always choose your neighbours. But you can decide how much access you give them to your peace of mind.
Where you live should help you breathe easier, not heavier.
Because at the end of the day, home should heal you, not haunt you.
About Me
I am a thinker at all times. I see, I think. I hear, I think. I read, I think. Every weekend I write. I would love to know what you think.