Let's be honest, we all thought our first year of college would be our first year "on our own," but let's face the facts. Living in a dorm room or a Greek house surrounded by tons of people your own age isn't exactly being on your own. Most, if not all, of your amenities are right in front of you and you don't have to put forth much effort making food or doing other grown up things. This summer, I decided to stay in my school's city for the summer to work and live in a house with a few roommates. Here are the everyday things that I have learned since living on my own.
1. Your house will not always be filled with people. And for some, that is depressing. A lot of people think that once they have their own place that it will always be filled with friends, but the sad fact of life is that people are busy. It's hard when not all of your friends are in the same city anymore or even when you all have conflicting schedules. The parties and hangouts you envisioned throwing will no longer be a thought in your head because of how busy everyone is.
2. You will experience issues you never thought you'd have to worry about. When the TV breaks or the toilet gets clogged, your parents are no longer there to fix the problem. You suddenly have to make time for things like making meals, doing laundry, and cleaning your bathtub. Not only that, but you have to remember to do them on your own.
3. Stuff is expensive. Now this isn't exactly the first time I'm realizing this, but suddenly you'll have expenses you never thought of. Hand soap – you have to buy that. Lightbulbs – you have to buy those. Food – you most definitely cannot live without it. When you go shopping for household items, you will suddenly realize how serious being an adult is when you look at your receipt at the end of your purchase.
4. Growing up is hard. Living on your own, you won't always have someone around. Sure, you might have roommates, but they have their own lives. It's a hard feeling to get used to, especially if your family is far away. Responsibilities are your own, you'll get lonely every once in a while, and there will be really hard days.
5. It will make you a stronger person. Ultimately, when you live on your own for the first time, you truly will learn the value of a dollar. You will learn how to provide and care for yourself completely. You will have more time for yourself to grow and develop into the person you were always meant to be.
With this in mind, I challenge you to do this sometime. Live with people who aren't your best friends. Move to a city where you may not know that many people. Discover yourself and what you truly love. Spend time doing things that interest you for nobody else but yourself. That's what this time is for right? Be selfish and spend a little more time on you.
