Leaving home is something most young adults look forward to. Moving out, even just for college, gives us the sense of freedom we need. It allows us to learn how to take care of ourselves and live our own lives. However, this doesn't always work out the way we want it to.
Heading into my first semester of college, I wanted nothing more than to be out on my own. I had this desire to start living a part of my life that felt like it was my own, but eventually my anxiety got thrown into the mix of things. I began to realize I had put myself into a situation that was affecting my mental health because I didn't have the right support system on campus. My whole support system was back at home.
Thankfully I lived close enough to my school to start commuting for the second semester, but this was not an easy decision for me to make. While I wanted to take care of myself, I also felt like I was giving up my freedom. Moving back home felt like a billion steps backwards from where I wanted to be.
As it turns out, neither of these things were true. I actually began moving forward with my mental health. Which led to me enjoying going out again, and doing more of what I love. As much as I didn't want to admit it at first, moving back home was exactly what I needed in this situation.
Growing up, and especially in high school, we're taught that moving out is the ultimate goal. We're taught to get out on our own two feet as soon as possible. We're taught that this is the "right" way to go about things, and having to move back home for any reason other than summer break tends to be frowned upon.
Sometimes, no matter how often everyone else tells us we're ready, and no matter how much we want to believe we're ready to stand on our own, we just aren't. Whether it's because of health reasons, financial situations, or even just because you need to be with your family moving back home is perfectly okay. Don't let anyone else tell you differently, and don't let it stop you from continuing to move forward in your life.