Everyone knows the typical benefits of living at home for the summer: a free place to live, free food, hanging out with your family and friends, etc. Don’t get me wrong, those are all amazing perks of being at home for the summer. However, I’ve also found there are a few more unexpected benefits, especially for a recent college grad who is planning on moving out in a few months. They make my time at home that much better.

1. There's time to pack

I can hear the argument now. “But you always have time to pack because you have to make time.” Yes, you’re right. There is always some time to pack. However, for me, I get the whole summer to pack. I don’t have to frantically shove clothes in a bag or items in a box because I’m supposed to be leaving in a few days. Of course, I don’t want to fall into the “I have so much time, I’ll get to packing later” trap either. But, overall, I can slowly but surely pack all of my belongings away.

2. The slow accumulation of needed items

There are a lot of items I need to live my “adult” life. New professional clothes, furniture for my apartment, dishes, towels, fans, the list could be and sometimes feels endless. Yet, since I’m home for the summer, I can slowly pick up the extra items I need. Plus, I can let my bank account breathe just a little bit because I don’t have to buy everything all at once.

3. The "do I really need this?"

Like I said, there’s a lot that I need for my future life. But at the same time, there’s a lot I don’t need. That shirt I’ve had since high school just hanging in my closet? Yeah, probably don’t need that. I can decide if that t-shirt I love so much actually needs to move with me or if I only want it for nostalgia’s sake. I’ve already gotten rid of one big bag of clothes and I’m sure I’m not done yet!

Having the extra time also helps me figure out if that dress has been hanging in my closet because I forgot about it or because I really don’t like it. Some of my stuff I need for the summer but after that? Adios stuff! The extra time is great for making decisions that are perfectly thought out and don’t feel too hasty.

4. Saying goodbye to my parents' home

I’ve lived in my current home for six years. I know it isn’t as much time as other people, but it’s still been a sizeable chunk. Having the whole summer to say goodbye allows me the time to take down all of my room decorations and properly say goodbye to my bedroom and the house. Sure, I’ll be back here again, but I won’t have the chance to live in my room as it is now ever again. So, I have one last summer to live in it, revel in it, and say goodbye to it.

5. Saying goodbye to my hometown

On top of saying goodbye to my parents’ house, there’s also the chance to say goodbye to my hometown. All of those good memories and good restaurants that deserve one last visit, or acknowledgment before I’m not around them for a while. I can have my fill of the restaurants before leaving and it won’t feel like I’ve missed something when I do leave for good.

6. The beginning of my adult goals

A friend of mine recently asked me what my adult goals were. What did I want to do with myself now that college was over? Answering "get a job" just got me a look of disapproval. No, what did I want to do to better myself? "I want to learn piano and read 500 books in the next 5 or so years."

At home, I have a bunch of free time. Yes, I have a job, but I don't have my friends right next door wanting to hang out every free second anymore. So, I have free time that I can devote to my adult goals. I'm sure the list will get longer as I get older, but having the time and opportunity to focus on those two goals is something rare.