At this time of year many school leavers are brimful of excitement about moving out of home and into accommodation close to their university or college. There’s also that nervousness about finding a place to live that’s nice and within mum and dad’s budget or that a student grant will cover. For many people, the dream house or flat will only be perfect with the addition of a friend or schoolmate from home to make the move less lonely. However, as one contributor found, moving in with a close friend did not make for a warm and friendly home…

“I moved in with a friend of mine – we were fairly close friends and never had any arguments. But from day one of moving in she stopped talking to me or inviting me out for social events on weekends.

“She would barely speak to me when I tried to engage in conversation and permanently kept her door shut, only emerging out for brief periods of maybe 5 minutes tops to microwave dinner or use the bathroom. If I tried to talk to her she would only respond in a rude tone with a one or two word answer. This went on for months and I couldn’t figure out what her problem was – we had never gotten into a fight…

“I ended up feeling like a loner in my own house, and it re-triggered my diagnosed manic deppression. I felt unwanted, alone and hurt. Being a fairly sensitive, non confrontational person I could never find the words to ask why she started to hate me overnight.”

- Lil, UK

Have you any advice for Lil or anyone in her situation? What’s the best way to deal with coldness from a flatmate or a friend you share your home with? Have you ever been that cold, unfriendly person? Why did you act that way? We’d love you to share. Please comment below.