Living on your own for the first time is a pretty big deal. Whether you are just living away from home for the summer, or you just graduated from college and are out living in the real world, it is a step up into the big leagues and comes with a longer list of responsibilities. Can you say adulting?

1. Expectation: No parents = no one to tell you what to do! Yay, freedom!!

Reality: There is no one to remind you of important things you may forget, or to be your back-up alarm clock

2. Expectation: You are able to cook all those gourmet meals you saw from Facebook videos. Woohoo 5 star dining.

Reality: Mac and cheese, PB&J and anything microwavable is your best friend because groceries cost money

3. Expectation: You will have time to do all those hobbies you’ve always wanted like reading

Reality: There is no actual time. The real world calls and like Rhianna says, “Work, work, work, work, work, work.”

4. Expectation: You think you will wake up early to workout or workout when you get home from work

Reality: Hahahaha you thought wrong

5. Expectation: You can stay out as late as you want to

Reality: Work has you so tired that you are cashed out on the couch by 10 PM

6. Expectation: You can finally be independent and buy your own things

Reality: You realize you actually have to start being responsible with your money which leads you to start questioning if you really needed that new pair of shoes you bought

7. Expectation: You will get to hang out with your friends and roommates all the time

Reality: You are all on different schedules so it’s hard to find time you can all get together and do something besides binge watch Netflix before bed

8. Expectation: You will go out and meet new people/try new things

Reality: Lol just kidding, the outside world is scary, and people are scarier

9. Expectation: Your place is going to be organized and clean at all times

Reality: One outfit change or meal made later and the place looks like a tornado just ripped through it

10. Expectation: You will almost never go home because you are so in love with your new found independence and life on your own.

Reality: You try to find every opportunity possible to go home to your family who will take you in again and make you home cooked meals/let you do your laundry for free

Although these realities may be harsh at first, you can learn to cope with them—all it takes is some time and practice. So far living on my own has been an overall great experience that grants me the chance to become more responsible. It is a growing up opportunity that makes me appreciate the luxury I had of living at home, yet excited for the many adventures to come from living on my own.