In January it will be 2 years that I have not lived at home. I made this decision for my own mental stability as well as moving out for college. I hated commuting, so living closer to school and now work was my best decision. Along with the freedom of doing what I want, I have had a few life lessons that I would like to share.
Not everything has to be name brand.
This goes for food, clothes, electronics, furniture, etc. Having the best stuff is always nice, but is extremely pricey. It's okay to settle for the generic brand, or things that are cheaper. While living on your own you will be paying for so much more than you would be at home, so going for the deals and discounts will help save up a little extra cash each month.
You're going to have to do it yourself.
No one is going to take the trash out for you, or clean your shower and sink. You may have done chores at home but keeping up with the maintenance of your home is vital. I suggest taking a day every other week to cleaning your home/apartment to keep up with the clutter. If something is broken, do not put it off to the last second to fix it or call maintenance. Letting all of this build up is just extra stress.
Write down everything you have to do.
This was one of the hardest things I had to realize when I moved out. No one was around to remind me of events and important upcoming dates. Write it down. Buy a white board or a calendar and keep it updated. It sounds silly until you realize you have rent due tomorrow and you completely forgot to go grocery shopping.
Try not to isolate yourself.
A problem that I have while living on my own is isolating myself. I often find myself staying in my house or going right from work/school to my house. Advice that I have is to try to get out as much as you can handle. If socializing isn't your thing than thats fine, but try to get out of the house a couple times a week whether for a walk to the store or hanging around on campus after classes.
Appreciate the perks of living alone.
Whether its watching the TV show that your family hated, or keeping the music on high during the day; enjoy the perks. Not everything has to be a struggle when you live away from home. Take the time to appreciate your own privacy, you deserve it!.
I hope that these tips help, or give you a sense of comfort that you are not alone with your struggles of living alone.
