Remember getting on the bus the first day of school? You walked up those three steps with a backpack full of school supplies and a lunchbox that protected your favorite pizza Lunchable. You smiled at the bus driver barely containing your excitement. And then you found a seat and watched your parents wave "goodbye". The smile on your face turned into a frightened frown and terror set in. How were you going to survive? Will you ever see them again?

Would you say that is an accurate description of the feeling while moving out of your parent's house? I still wonder how I made it almost two years on my own. According to Google Maps, I live in an apartment 20 (whole) miles away from the house I grew up in. I basically attend a university three exits away. Go ahead. Roll those eyes and ask "Then why don't you just live at home?" I am fortunate to have parents who encouraged me to live on my own while in college. I still wonder if it was their way of kicking me out.

Living away from home has its fair share of plus and minuses. I have enjoyed finding myself out of the four walls where I found safety and unconditional love, but there is nothing more rewarding than getting by on your own. Even if it's just barely getting by.

I have learned my fair share of lessons and at times felt like I was barely keeping my head above water.

So let's get to it.

1. Cooking

I grew up in a family who had dinner together every night, no exceptions. At the time it seemed more like routine rather than cherishing time as a family. But now having my fair share of "dinner on the go's ", I admire being able to take the time to sit and enjoy a meal. With that, I have also learned that cooking is not my strength even though I have evolved from the typical fried egg for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Anything with a sweet potato is my new specialty.

2. Accountability

A lot of people get a dose of freedom and run with it. Luckily, I've been cursed with a guilty conscious, which makes skipping class close to impossible. In fact, there have been many times where I have decided on skipping class for some reason or another, and still, I find myself sitting in the front row five minutes before class starts. Talk about a blessing and a curse.

3. Quiet Time

I grew up in a house with a set of parents, four kids, and a dog, as well as a television or music playing all time time. Let that sink in. I can't name a time when I walked into my house without someone yelling "Hello" at the top of their lungs, not a second after the front door shut. I couldn't define the term "quiet" if I tried. But the first month of living away from home, I didn't know what to do. The quietness scared me and felt eerie, and then I started enjoying it. And no one yelled for me to do the dishes!

4. Being Alone

My middle name is introvert. Sometimes it's a blessing and other times it's a curse. I found that being alone was my way of recharging. At first, I felt guilty for taking time for myself, but moving away from comfort and safety teaches you how to enjoy being alone.

5. Grocery Shopping

I should've created a new year's resolution around grocery shopping because it is not a strength of mine. I always create a list and walk in with my game face on, and still, I forget something... every. single. time. I am not sure how this is a continuous thing but if you consider yourself a professional in the grocery shopping department, teach me your ways.

All in all, I am thankful. Thankful to have parents who have provided a home that was safe, comforting, and easy to come home to. The little things that I never knew took so much work are now the tasks I dread doing. Hello, Laundry.