It Happened to Me: Living with a Mentally Healthy Roommate

I haven’t shared a room with someone in years. My habits felt normal. Comfortable. Safe. But then, winter began. Not only do I have a roommate—I have a mentally healthy roommate. 

Suddenly all of my favorite activities are “concerning” and “unhealthy” and “contributing to my endless downward spiral that I’ll eventually have to confront.” Sorry I don’t journal my thoughts, Rebecca! Keeping my emotions bottled up and occasionally breaking down has worked for me for years. What do you mean I “should probably shower”? If you’re trying to tell me that I stink, SAY IT TO MY FACE. Actually, don’t, I’ll start crying immediately if you do. 

The worst part about it isn’t even that I can’t rewatch New Girl for the thirteenth time while shouting every line at my computer, it’s that her habits are starting to rub off on me. It’s disgusting. My screen time went down 44% in the last week alone. I own a yoga mat. I shit in the toilet now. To be honest, I don’t even know who I am anymore.

But of course my parents are loving it. They’re so glad to “have their daughter back” and that I “look so much happier now.” I don’t care what you think, Mom. Except that I do and I’m sorry. I’m just experiencing severe TikTok withdrawals because my roommate deleted it off my phone. Does anyone know how hot Willy Wonka is doing? It’s been THREE DAYS since I’ve gone back to watch his videos. Not only that, I was so sensation starved that I read a page of a book yesterday. A BOOK! I wanted to claw my eyes out. I actually tried to, but Rebecca stopped me. She probably saved me from blindness. SCREW YOU REBECCA!

Anyway, I guess it hasn’t been all bad so far. I’ve been keeping up with my workload and we do have fun. Wait, fuck, I just looked at the bright side of this situation. She’s infiltrated my THOUGHTS, now. Damn it, Rebecca! Get OUT of here! This is for my insanely specific scenarios about Jon Ossoff and NO ONE ELSE! 

Maybe I just have to get used to it. This is my life now, whether I like it or not. There goes my dream of cutting my own bangs at three in the morning while crying and listening to Driver’s License. I guess it was a long shot anyway.

*If you or someone you know is living with a mentally healthy roommate, you’re not alone. Call 888-222-MENTALLY-UNSTABLE for more information and ways you can help.