Even though I will not be graduating this semester like some of my 2012 high school classmates (pretty sure the majority is on that 5-year plan), I will continue to live at home… with my parents… with my grandma… with my aunt… and a few others who I am going to spare this list. So this post goes out to all of my fellow college grads that will be moving back in at home after graduation. Clarifier: I still struggle with a lot of these, and I am nowhere near who I would like to be concerning these tips.
1. Clean up after yourself.
This should be a given, however, the dependency and comforts of mom return while home and tend to make us forget how to do things ourselves. Trust me on this one… That one plate you left in the clean sink last night will be avenged by a brutal awakening the next day.
2. One-on-One Time.
This may be one of the most helpful tips I can give. Life gets stressful real quick living with a full house, and living under old rules and management. You want to duck tape people’s mouths and give them something to listen to… Sometimes you want to punch a hole in the wall because you are awakened in the middle of the night by a snoring bear in the next room (Nana I love you so much). HOWEVER. One-on-one time creates a space to laugh. It reminds you of why you love that person in the first place. Leave your baggage at home, and get out with the one person you need to laugh with. Trust me, it helps more than you realize at the time.
3. Respect Other’s Belongings.
Did you buy that delicious smelling softener for the laundry? Did you just drop over $150 at the grocery store? Then don’t touch that without asking first. It’s not that fact of sharing that is the issue, it’s being respectful. Ask before you assume you can have it. Also, this shows more than just respect. It shows you see beyond your wants, and that you’re going out of your way to care for those around you.
PS- Sorry Katie for eating your last burrito…
4. Offer Your Time.
I definitely am THE worst at this, but from past experiences this is a great way to a.) make you a better person, and b.) help the household run smoother. Offer your time to those who need help with tasks around the house. Maybe it’s as simple as cleaning the kitchen or maybe it’s setting a date to finally tackle that dirty garage that looks haunted at the sight of it. Any time you can offer is appreciated more than you know. And better yet, it will help you more than you realize.
5. Family Time.
I think it’s common for most families to cringe at those words. Well, do yourself a favor and be the one who schedules these times. You’ve only got one family, and creating more memories with them will only better just about everything, and it will help to hold everyone closer together. It can't do much harm... Well, for the most part until your cheeks get burned from Aunt Petunia's cigarette lips.
6. Alone Time.
In contrast with family time, alone time is just as important. Make sure you have time to yourself a couple times a week, or you’ll be pulling your hair out within a week of living back home… At least that’s what I hear…
7. Don’t Give IT Time to Build
What do I mean by “IT,” you ask? Just what I said, it. Whatever it is, take care of it before it builds a home deep in your heart and creates a bitter monster you’ll regret. Maybe this one is geared more towards the gals since we like to harbour our feelings a lot. Don’t let that annoyingly loud chew at dinner every night get to you over time. Instead, make it known in a loving way that it annoys you. And then maybe try putting on background music or a TV Show, aka do something about it. Don’t let it dwell. But if it still bothers you after that, then get over it.
8. Improve Yourself.
Meaning just what it says- work on yourself. Ask yourself questions like, “How am I serving others around me?” “What fruit am I bearing?” “Am I encouraging and inspiring others to do the same?” Challenge yourself. Ananlyze your responses, fruit, reactions...etc. Or here’s one more daring one, “What am I preparing myself for? Am I preparing myself for moving out?”…which leads me to my next tip.
9. Budget. Save. Don’t ask for money.
Obviously, you’re going to need some help when it comes to finances. And that’s okay. But try your absolute best not to ask for money. Instead ask the better question: how do I save money? I could go down the list of all the different types of situations for college grads and their specific finance situations, but every single one boils down to this: work hard, budget your money, and save. It’s simple really. Talk through with your parents what they expect from you. This could mean rent, or it could mean random bills. Or none at all, how wonderful! But get a plan and stick to it so that you can reach your goal.
10. Last but not least: Be Grateful.
This is one of central pieces for living at home after college- be thankful! Your parents are allowing you to move back into a place where you know you’re safe, secure, and free from full-on adulthood. They don't have to do this. And although living back at home isn’t always ideal, remember it’s a chance for you to grow, save money, and transition. This is only for a season, don’t waste it.
For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light. He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves. We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Him. | Colossians 1:9-14
