Moving out is one of the most liberating experiences we encounter in our young lives. Walking into our "own place" for the first time is a memory not many young adults forget. At one point in our culture's history, it was practically taboo for a young lady to live alone, but in 2016 we can do whatever we want--and we're taking advantage of it.

While living alone is something that can be extremely fun and exciting, there are some things they forget to tell you before you go out on your own.

1. There are bugs...and you have to deal with them.

And it only takes you once to realize that ignoring them until they go away does you more emotional harm than good.

2. There are dishes. And you have to deal with them, too.

It's like no matter how hard you work to keep up with it, there are always dishes in your sink.

3. Sometimes you'll irrationally overreact to noises you hear at night.

And by sometimes, I mean every time.

4. And when the power goes out at night for the first time, you may have a meltdown

..and the second time, and there may still be tears your third.

5. It's not actually boring.

To be honest, when you spend a lot of time hanging out by yourself, you learn a lot about who you are.

6. There's no one to get you out of bed.

And alarm clocks always fail you when you need them most.

7. Decorating an entire place is exciting, but overwhelming.

You're given all this creative freedom, but then you realize it's super time consuming and impossible to realize your vision with a $20 budget.

8. It's not always as simple as "taking the trash out"

Taking the trash out can actually turn into a very involved process. If you live in an apartment, you're usually having to carry it somewhere and cram it into a little hole in the wall. Or if you live outside of the range that the city's garbage pickup runs, you may have to drive to a dumpster to dispose of it. Rain or shine.

9. You pick up a lot of random new skills

In doing laundry, I learned how to juggle (literally, with rolled up socks). I also recently learned to use a precision screwdriver, program a TV remote, and bake a cake from scratch.

10. When it comes to being "handy", it's either sink or swim.

There are literally so many things that need done every day, and you don't realize that until you're the only one around to do them. A lot of times you just have to learn by doing, even if that means hanging a shelf crookedly or busting a light bulb here and there.

11. Nobody congratulates you.

You've spent a whole day being responsible and "adulting" really well. So? Real adults have to do it every day, they're not proud of you. They won't reward you with food and nap time, which is all you really want, so you have to learn to reward yourself every now and then.

12. Keeping groceries is the worst

The thing about groceries is, if you buy something healthy/worth eating, it probably has an expiration date, and that expiration date is probably some time a lot sooner than you alone will be able to eat it all. You find yourself begrudgingly tossing over-ripe bananas in the trash every time you buy them.

13. You don't move in in one day (or a week, or a month)

I've lived in my house for almost six months and I still have unpacked boxes. You always say you're going to get around to it, but life gets busy and times get stressful, and unpacking keeps moving lower and lower on your list of priorities.

14. You get really creative when it comes to escape routes

My plan in the event of a burglary: spray the intruder in the face with the long-range wasp spray I have hidden behind my bed, then throw household objects at them until they run away (yeah, my parents don't think it's safe for me to get a gun).

15. You're constantly torn between wanting to have company and not wanting to clean

You're very set in your ways when it comes to cleaning habits. It may be the night before laundry day and you have a pile of clothes on the floor, or the day after "cooking" night and there are dishes filling your sink.

16. Sometimes you have to ask for help

And honestly, that's okay. You can't be expected to do everything on your own all the time. Sometimes you need a little help from the people who love you.

17. You get a little complacent

And that's okay too! As long as it's taken in moderation. You can't be lazy all the time, but sometimes you have to give yourself some time off.

18. There's no one to take care of you when you're sick

You only thought being sick when you were a kid was the worst, but now you're an adult and you're alone and you feel certain the cold you have is going to kill you.

19. You start to love it, and could never see yourself living with other people

Living alone is an acquired taste. Eventually you realize that you love it and you have a ton of freedom. Most importantly, with no other people around, you never have to wear pants.

20. You realize how right your parents were

Yeah, your parents knew what they were talking about when they told you how much you were going to miss your lack of responsibility, your childhood bedroom, and even them, occasionally.