After a year and a half of shared living, the tension in Alex’s apartment had reached a climax. Living with roommates had its highs and lows, but nothing was quite as grating as the incessant thunder of his neighbor’s television echoing through the shared wall of their small apartment. For nearly 18 months, Alex had endured his roommate Matt’s late-night TV binges, but as the final month of their lease ticked down, everything changed.
Alex was a pretty laid-back guy, typically easygoing about most things. He loved to unwind and watch his shows too, but there was a big difference: he had an uncanny ability to control his volume, and he expected the same from others. Matt, on the other hand, seemed to approach the TV like it was an IMAX theater, cranking it up as if he were trying to involve everyone in the action. The sound carried through the wall with a ferocity that often left Alex feeling like he was stuck in a war zone.
The issues had started innocuously enough. It began with a few late nights where the sound of fast-paced dialogue or explosions from Matt’s favorite binge-worthy series crept into Alex’s room. Initially, he’d tried to chalk it up to the typical noise that comes with sharing a living space, but as the months went on, it became a nuisance. He tried to handle it with patience, using a mix of passive-aggressive nudges and friendly conversations. “Hey man, maybe turn it down a little? It’s pretty loud…” would usually be followed by a nod and a half-hearted promise to be more mindful.
However, the promises turned out to be nothing more than noise (pun intended). No matter how many times he approached Matt or brought it up in their house meetings—which were often more about pizza and beer than they were about household issues—the volume didn’t decrease. It was as if an unspoken rule had formed: Matt had the right to blast his TV as long as he wanted, and Alex was simply expected to deal with it.
As the lease neared its end, Alex felt a shift in the dynamic. It was as if Matt had decided that since they wouldn’t be living together anymore, he was free to do as he pleased—no consequences, no need to be courteous. One night, after a long day at work, Alex lay in bed, his headphones uselessly muffling the thundering dialogue next door. He could practically hear the explosions as they rattled through the walls, a completely unreasonable volume that felt more like an attack than a casual TV session.
Eventually, he snapped. He got out of bed, marched to his phone, and sent a message to Matt. “Can you turn the TV down? It’s really loud.” He was already aware of Matt’s habitual dismissiveness, but he felt he owed it to himself to try one last time. The response came quickly, and it was exactly what he expected: “It’s not that loud, dude. Chill out.”
The words stung more than they should have. Alex had been chill for a year and a half, but he was reaching his limit. With just a month left in their lease, there was little incentive for Matt to cooperate. The realization hit him hard: Why should Matt change anything when the countdown to their separation had begun?
Feeling frustrated and done with diplomacy, Alex decided to shift his strategy. Instead of trying to make peace in a situation that had been anything but peaceful, he gave up pretending to care. He would no longer engage in attempts to reason with Matt. If he wanted to turn his room into a soundstage, then Alex would meet that noise with his own rebellion. He would binge-watch his shows at whatever volume felt right—let the chips fall where they may.
Days turned into a barrage of relentless noise, only now, Alex was fully embracing it. If Matt wanted to blow out his speakers, so be it. Alex matched that energy, adding his own laughter and commentary to the mix. It became a chaotic symphony of competing dramas; if nothing else, he found a strange humor in the absurdity of it all.
As the month drew to a close, Alex felt a sense of freedom. He wouldn’t have to deal with the TV thunder for much longer. The thought of moving on and leaving the noise behind was exhilarating. No more shared walls, no more late-night explosions. Just sweet, blissful silence awaited him in his new apartment, where sanity and quietness were once again within grasp.
In the end, Alex realized there was a certain liberating quality in letting go of the expectation that everyone must live harmoniously. Sometimes, when faced with the clamor of others, the best response really is to just turn up your own volume and embrace the chaos—after all, soon, the storm would pass.
More from Cultivated Comfort:
- 7 Vintage Home Items From the ’60s That Are Collectors’ Dream Finds
- 7 Vintage Home Goods That Became Collectors’ Gold
- 7 Fast-Food Chains That Changed for the Worse
- 7 Frozen Dinners That Were Better Back in the Day
As a mom of three busy boys, I know how chaotic life can get — but I’ve learned that it’s possible to create a beautiful, cozy home even with kids running around. That’s why I started Cultivated Comfort — to share practical tips, simple systems, and a little encouragement for parents like me who want to make their home feel warm, inviting, and effortlessly stylish. Whether it’s managing toy chaos, streamlining everyday routines, or finding little moments of calm, I’m here to help you simplify your space and create a sense of comfort.
But home is just part of the story. I’m also passionate about seeing the world and creating beautiful meals to share with the people I love. Through Cultivated Comfort, I share my journey of balancing motherhood with building a home that feels rich and peaceful — and finding joy in exploring new places and flavors along the way.
