- 2 years ago
#56571
It sounds like you’ve tried to talk to this with them before and they made it clear that they will continue going through your belongings. The hard truth is taking the risk to sneak in trinket items that you don’t even need is not a safe idea. If these other adults, regardless of relation to you, do not respect you enough to trust you aren’t bringing damaging or illegal items into your shared living space then you shouldn’t risk them further disrespecting you by doing something more extreme, such as throwing away your belongings, cutting you off of financial assistance, removing your access to things like phone or internet, kicking you out of the household, or potentially even physically lashing out at you. People who are forcing themselves into positions of authority, such as the case in a dictatorship, often react compulsively or in extremes when their authority is threatened.
I can only suggest you seek to find your own living space, such as an apartment. Invading your packages and bags to go through your personal belongings is not something other adults have the legal authority to do without your explicit consent. A landlord cannot legally dictate the personal belongings you’re allowed to bring into your living space unless the item is potentially damaging to the property in some way or is illegal. It is illegal to open other people’s mail, including packages. I really doubt you have the means to hire an attorney and take them to court over it so it’s just time to move.
It would be best at this point to pick up a job (or a second job or ask your college about any work-study program they may offer) and begin stashing away as much as you can, but even just $20 can quickly add up, per paycheck to cover the deposit for a small apartment. You might look for an “efficiency” apartment first because, while they’re usually quite small, they tend to be the cheapest and most readily available.
If you’re disabled then speak with your case worker and express your desires to move out of your parents’ home. You may need to very firm and adamant that this is what you want. There are assisted living apartments that you may qualify for, and you likely qualify for multiple programs that assist the disabled. Your case worker will know how to get these forms for you and can help you fill them out.
If you don’t want to follow “house rules” then it’s time to relocate and that’s just that. This is your sign that it’s time to spread your wings and leave the nest.
You can also contact me at littlespaceonline @ gmail.com if you can't reach me here!