At one point in every young adult's life, they realize it is time to move out of their parents’ house. For many people, this choice is made after they've graduated from college and have a stable job. Sometimes, though, young people make the decision to move out before they've graduated. I moved out of my childhood home at the age of nineteen, and while I love where I am now, I have definitely faced some hardships along the way.

Oftentimes, young people expect living on their own to be a walk in the park, but that couldn't be further from the truth. The second I moved into my new home, I was faced with more responsibility than I ever anticipated. I had to begin paying bills and go grocery shopping. I had to learn how to budget my money so that I could actually afford to survive without the aid of my family. I even had to teach myself how to cook. I wanted a pet, so I needed to be able to afford everything that comes with owning your own furry friend. Living on my own was definitely more work than I expected.

Another factor I hadn't really taken into account when I was making my decision was what it would be like to share a house with a roommate (who just happens to be my sister). Sharing a home with another person is entirely different than sharing a dorm room or living with your parents. In a dorm, you might sweep the floor every once in a while or make sure that the bathroom isn’t completely disgusting. In your parent’s house, you probably have a couple chores and have to make sure your room is presentable. In your own home, though, you and your roommate must decide who is going to cook, who will clean, who will take the trash out, etc. You will find yourself arguing with your roommate about most of those chores and other ridiculous things, like who needs to use the shower right this minute. Living with another person can be really great at times, too. I always have someone to talk to about my day and someone to hang out with or ask for help.

When I decided to move out, I was hoping to gain some independence from my parents and to prove that I was able to be an adult on my own. Little did I know, moving out would actually bring me closer to my parents than I ever could've imagined. When I'm cooking dinner, I constantly find myself picking up the phone to call my dad and ask for help. If we have a water leak, I’m on the phone with my dad. Even when I don’t have questions, I call my parents to talk and catch up, or I find myself heading over to their house for Sunday dinners. Moving out taught me that being independent doesn’t mean you can’t call your parents for help.

Moving is the second most stressful event to occur in a person’s life, behind the death of a loved one. Actually, moving at nineteen might even be able to tie for number one. Even so, moving has already taught me so many lessons that I wouldn’t have been able to learn while living at home.