Getting along with your neighbors is something most of us take for granted, but it can be much more challenging if you’re living in a senior living in New Buffalo, IN. As with any living situation where people have different lifestyles and interests, it can be easy to find yourself at odds with your fellow residents. However, there are ways to ensure that you get along well with the other people in your building — even if their taste in music and food differs from yours!
Get To Know Your Neighbors
The first thing you should do is get to know your neighbors. There’s no better way to make friends than by getting to know each other, so ask them about their interests, families, and jobs. You can also ask them about their hobbies and vacations if they like talking about those things. Ask them about their pets if you want to get the conversation started.
Be Friendly
One of the best ways to get along with other residents is by being friendly. Be open to new experiences and interactions, even if you’re not used to them. You may find that people have stories that are very different from yours but ultimately have a similar theme: we all want to be happy and feel like we belong somewhere.
Feel free to ask questions about how someone found out about the community or how they like living here. Ask what their favorite part of the day is—the morning run. Evening yoga class? Friday afternoon activities? The answer will tell you something about your neighbor’s interests and lead to a conversation where you can learn more about each other.
Rich Social Life
Everyone needs a support system. As you age, having friends and family around you becomes even more critical. If you don’t live in a community with other people your age, it can be hard to keep up with the social life that is so important for your health. However, when you live in a senior-friendly independent living community, it’s much easier to meet new friends! You’ll also benefit from having access to an activity director who can help plan activities and outings that fit into your schedule.
Learn Their Traditions
One of the best ways to get along with other residents is to have compassion. Compassion is the ability to understand and share feelings with others. In our society, we are generally taught that being nice means that you shouldn’t show your own emotions and feelings—but in fact, having compassion for others is one of the best things you can do for yourself! It helps you feel less lonely and isolated, less stressed out from living in close quarters with people who may not be comfortable around you, and less anxious about interacting with people who might act differently than they usually would because they’re living at a senior living community instead of their own home.
Find A Mutual Interest
If you and your fellow residents share some common interests or hobbies, it’s easier to find common ground and get along better. For example, if one of your neighbors loves gardening, you could help each other by sharing tips on how best to grow tomatoes or basil. If another resident likes reading romance novels, you could take turns recommending titles for them to read next! The point is that the more you can connect with others on things like this, the better off your community will be overall.
Conclusion
Getting along with your neighbors is a key part of living in a senior community. It cannot be easy to know how to interact with someone you’re meeting for the first time, but you must try! By following these tips, you’ll be on your way to great relationships with your neighbors.
