I have been fortunate to have amazing neighbours where I have lived in the past. I enjoyed the rapport and relationship I built with my neighbours back when I was in school. I have been a friendly person, even when I am an introvert and love my privacy. It doesn't mean there aren't times I don't come outside to chat with my neighbours. Aside from that, I love to care and share what I have with everyone. This earned me respect, and I still chat with a few of them today.
During my Youth Service, I made sure to come out often to play with my neighbours, especially my Reverend's children. Once I go to charge my phones, I would stay with them and we would talk about many things. This helped me retain that friendship with them, including the younger children who were around, and made my stay worthwhile.
I love a neighbourhood where I can relate and mix with everyone, though I am not someone who makes friends easily or starts conversations first. I observe a lot before I move close. It doesn't stop me from the casual greetings and all sorts, and I tend to make myself available when they need my help because I love to share my items with people who need them. With this, I don't hesitate to give when they need anything, including my time. It makes me happy doing that.
I have come across some neighbours who you would think carry fire on their heads because of their attitudes; they won't greet you or even answer, and you'd see them frowning all the time. You'd think they don't feel happy at all. For them, I don't move too close or too far, but just in a friendly zone. I also don't hesitate to put on a smile every time I am outside with neighbours instead of frowning like them.
When I moved into my new place this year, I desired neighbours whom we would get to talk and play together, but I saw that everyone minded their business. We only see ourselves when we coincidentally jam ourselves or when there is a meeting, and before you know it, everyone stays indoors. For more than two months, I didn't know my neighbour's names, only a few, like 3 people, and with that, I still couldn't remember their names because we don't see often like that, and will I just be cramming names every time in my room? Lol
Not until an incident happened in June, when a neighbour had been dead in the building for 3 days and no one knew because everyone assumed she had travelled or perhaps was inside because she was someone who wouldn't come out for days, and we would think she had gone out, I do this, too. But when she died, no one knew until after 3 days. We had been sleeping in the building with a ghost. After that incident, we started coming outside to play, and most times, knocking on doors to confirm if they were at home. It was so painful then.
I am very friendly, and whenever I come outside and meet my neighbours, I smile and greet them. My room is always open for anyone, and they are welcome. We meet ourselves if we need anything, and I would say we have a good relationship in the building, making it a peaceful habitation for everyone.
But when it comes to trusting my neighbours to help me do something I need urgently, especially if I am not around, I haven't had such a connection to that extent, and I don't think there would be any situation that would warrant such, I hope it doesn't because I don't give my keys to anyone. No one does, too, and everyone is being careful. But guess what? I have always left my room unlocked whenever I need to get something outside the gate because I believe no one would just enter a room except an outsider comes in, and there hasn't been anything of such since I moved in here.
When I was down with malaria in June, no one knew about it because I chose not to tell anyone, as I didn't want to bother them. It got worse when I started vomiting so loudly, and no one came to check except a lady who cared to ask about my health when she met me outside. I had to endure it until my sister came around. Everyone to their limits when it comes to a certain point, and I don't pray for something like an emergency to happen.
I tend to give out anything I wouldn't be needing to my neighbours, and they'd receive it with joy, too. I have always prayed to always help in one way each day and it always happened and that makes me feel happy having to do my part in bveing kind and friendly to my neighbours and I don't pray to meet a neighbour who hads be a thorn in my neck but you know, even if it happens, I am always a gentle person who makes peace every time. I mind my business and only intervene when I am being called to, and if not, I stay in my lane while still maintaining a good relationship and rapport with everyone because that is how life should be.
*Images belong to me*
