With every new season, comes a new list of stressors. With every relationship comes miscommunication. If you're living with roommates, it's important to work together to keep a healthy living environment. Here are some ways you can eliminate stressors this spring.

1. Check in: Living with another person can be frustrating at times. Ask your roommate if there's anything you can do to help-out around the space to make them more comfortable. Also, be sure to communicate if there’s something bothering you, it’s best to address the issue before it grows.
   
   
2. Changing schedules: A new season can bring a new schedule. It’s best practice to keep your roommate informed on when you plan to be home. Check in with your roommate(s) to see if their schedule has changed. Also make sure to let your roommate know of any upcoming trips or people coming to visit.
   
   
3. Cleaning: The start of a new season is a great time to check in on often forgotten maintenance. Remember to clean out lint traps, windowsills, and underneath furniture. This is also a great time to make sure everything functions properly. Double check your smoke detectors, doors, and window locks.
   
   
4. Reevaluate: Figure out the new expectations for Springtime. Do you plan on mowing the lawn or hiring a service? Do you have outside plants that need to be cared for? Does the thermostat need to be adjusted? Discuss what needs to be done around your space and who is going to manage which chore.
   
   
5. Keep it up: Once you’ve finished checking in, it can be easy to forget about things till next season. To avoid that, create a calendar with weekly and monthly updates for your household. These can include a cleaning schedule, days off work, maintenance, when rent is due, or household goals! Doing this will help ensure that your home stays clean and you and your roommates are communicating.

A new season can bring a lot of new stress, but with a little planning you can make it work! Prepare for this spring by creating a clean space that not only looks good, but feels good and by maintaining communication. Working together, you and your roommates can enjoy a clean, healthy, and functional living space that you can be proud of this spring!