What it's really like to live alone?
Start writing a post
Life Stages

What Nobody Tells You About Living Alone

Maybe you just didn't listen, as always.

123
two girls on a couch

It must seem exciting to be able to go out and buy your own stuff without your mom giving you a list. Or to go out to a party without having to ask anyone for permission. The real test is when you don't have an adult's approval on the things you do and buy.

Two days after a Target run, I would find myself thinking about why I bought toothpaste for five dollars and not just for a dollar from Dollar Tree. I would walk past the clothes section and feel like I need everything there when I have the same things in my closet back home. Control is something we don't learn when we live with our parents or guardians. With them, we can buy whatever we want, and if one of them says no the other is bound to buy it for us, or we just get it later as a Christmas or birthday gift. Either way, we end up getting what we want.

Your best friend's birthday is coming up and her tastes are extravagant, but you don't have the money to buy anything like that for her. Of course, there's the consolation that she would appreciate even the thought of you getting her a gift, but deep down, you're going to feel guilty about not being able to afford something she'd really like.

It's Friday night and you just want a break from the tiring week you've had, so you decide to go out to a party with your friends. You drink and drink until the dancefloor becomes your home. The real test is when you get back to the dorms and are almost caught for underage drinking. Back when we were living with our parents, we know there's no way we would participate in illegal activities because of the rules imposed strictly on us, but we hated our parents for these same rules. We loathed our "lack of freedom", and blamed it on our parents and guardians. The scary 'almost' encounters help us realize the environment we had at home in high school.

So to the parents and guardians, I'm here to tell you that you're doing the best job out there. Better than the law enforcers of our country and better than any teacher. Parents: by being the people us children hate the most but miss the most even one day after being away from home; by telling us what to do and what not to do, and we do exactly the opposite, that's when you know we learn by rebelling, and that's when you know what we will appreciate you the most.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

40450
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

25046
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

950727
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

131995
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments