Irritation

A few weeks ago, my roommate's boyfriend let himself into our apartment to use the bathroom. He thought no one was home, and wore his shoes inside in spite of being asked not to, fully knowing that she and I are both struggling with OCD. He had no idea I was in my room at the time and likely figured no one would know.

While I was wildly uncomfortable with knowing he was coming here without ever extending the courtesy of asking me if it was all right first, I said nothing to my roommate. I figured I was just being overly sensitive, considering they've been together for over a year and I'm the 'newcomer' in this apartment. However, it sparked an anger in me that I haven't felt since working in retail and has flared up every time I see him here.

Now I find myself faced with the same problem yet again, and can't bring myself to confront him in the moment. I can't help but wonder if he does this every time he thinks no one is home, and it makes me feel as though my space is being invaded. It's a strange grey area I never thought I'd experience in any of my friendships; do I bottle it up to avoid making my roommate feel awkward, or do I tell her and take the risk of looking as insecure as I feel about claiming personal space?

Brighter Days

My mood has seen a definite improvement compared to the constant, extreme depression I'd been struggling with ever since moving out. The warm weather and sunny days are surely a part of the equation, but there are other things that are no less important; forcing myself to go out, to be social, to reach out more often and to resist the instinct to sulk have all been helping to pull me out of the rut I'd settled into.

Hopefully this is a mark of improvement rather than a brief period of relief from the low point I always seem to fall back to. Feeling this way is so completely different that it seems foreign, as if I'm not myself. Things seem clearer and easier to take in, instead of the usual sense of being overwhelmed by life itself.