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Living Together: Our Community Guidelines 🏠

Creating harmony through understanding, not rules through restriction

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Welcome to Our Community

We have specific guidelines that help us live together harmoniously. These aren't rigid rules, but thoughtful guidelines designed to create a community where everyone feels comfortable and connected.

The key to understanding our community is knowing that everything is based on mutual respect, understanding, and the willingness to communicate openly with each other.

Your Journey With Us

🎒 Guest Status (First 1-3 Nights)

When you first arrive, you're a guest - whether you're staying for one night, two nights, or three nights. During this time:

  • Come home by 8 PM - This gives you time to shower, use the bathroom, and get ready for bed
  • Ask questions about how things work - Not for permissions or exceptions, but to understand our ways
  • Observe and learn - Read FAQs, watch how others do things, integrate yourself
  • No special requests - As a guest, you adapt to our rhythm first

Remember: Being a guest isn't about the number of nights - it's about your integration level!

🌱 The Transition

We elevate you from guest to community member when we feel you're truly integrated. This might happen when:

  • You've spent significant time (like 12 hours) deeply learning about the project
  • You've read extensively about us beforehand and understand everything well
  • You demonstrate real understanding and participation
  • The community recognizes you as "one of us"

The best scenario: We notice your integration and tell you! Sometimes you might need to ask if you're unsure, but usually we'll let you know when you've made the transition.

🏡 Community Member

Once you're part of the project, things change:

  • Come home by 9 PM - But now you help others prepare for bed
  • You can communicate needs - Not ask permission, but discuss exceptions with the group
  • You know the systems - Where the key is, how to be quiet, how to help others
  • You can propose changes - Understanding the "why" behind guidelines first

📅 Our Daily Rhythm

8:00 PM
Guests arrive home, start preparing for bed (shower, bathroom, etc.)
9:00 PM
Community members arrive, everyone prepares for bed together
10:00 PM
Lights out, time to sleep (sometimes we chat in the dark until 11)

Understanding the "Why" Behind Our Guidelines

🛏️ Why go to bed at 10 PM?

If we don't maintain this schedule, bedtime drifts to 11, then 12... Our roommates deserve privacy and quiet nights. We want everyone to wake up early and energized. Most importantly, synchronized schedules create natural opportunities for community bonding.

🤝 Why the different times for guests vs. members?

Guests need more time to figure things out and get ready. Community members know the routines and can help others while preparing themselves. It's about capability and responsibility, not hierarchy.

💬 Why communicate instead of asking permission?

We're adults in a community, not children asking parents. When you communicate your needs, you're showing respect for others while taking responsibility for your choices.

Need an Exception? Here's How!

Life happens, and our guidelines can flex when there's genuine need and mutual care.

Step 1: Write in the WhatsApp group explaining your situation
Step 2: Show consideration - mention how you'll minimize disruption
Step 3: Wait for everyone to respond with a ❤️ emoji
Step 4: If someone doesn't respond, give them a gentle call
Step 5: With consensus achieved, follow through on your promises

Example Exception Communication

"Hey everyone! 👋 Tomorrow I need to call my girlfriend in Argentina at her evening time. I'll need to come home around 11 PM. I promise to:

- Enter super quietly
- Put my mattress by the door tonight
- Help with breakfast prep in the morning to make up for it

I know we value our sleep schedule and I've been here long enough that you know I respect that. Is everyone okay with this? Please ❤️ if yes!"

Why this works: Clear reason, specific time, shows consideration, offers reciprocity, acknowledges community values, seeks consensus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I propose changes to the guidelines?

Yes, but only after you've transitioned from guest to community member. To propose changes:

  1. First understand deeply why the current guideline exists
  2. Think of alternatives that serve the same purpose
  3. Write about it in the WhatsApp group or create a GitHub issue
  4. Document pros and cons thoroughly
  5. Facilitate group discussion and seek consensus

Remember: Guidelines exist for reasons. Any change should preserve the underlying values while improving the implementation.

What if I need to come home late regularly?

Regular exceptions are more complex than one-time requests. If you're a community member who needs frequent exceptions:

  • Bring it up as a discussion topic, not just repeated exception requests
  • Consider if this living situation aligns with your lifestyle
  • Propose structural solutions that work for everyone
  • Be prepared that the community might not be able to accommodate

Our guidelines create the community we want. If someone needs exceptions constantly, it might indicate a mismatch rather than a guideline problem.

How do I know when I've transitioned from guest to member?

The transition is organic and based on integration, not time. Signs you might be ready:

  • You understand not just the "what" but the "why" of our guidelines
  • You naturally help others without being asked
  • Community members start treating you as "one of us"
  • You feel comfortable and invested in the community's wellbeing

Best case: We tell you! But if you're unsure after a few days, it's perfectly fine to ask: "Hey, do you all see me as integrated into the project now?"