Moving away from home has been surreal to say the least. As a freshman last year, it did not really dawn on me that I was living on my own because I was living in the dorms. As a sophomore this year with my own house, I have realized that living on your own definitely has its ups and downs.
The one thing that I looked forward to when moving away was the freedom I was going to have. I love being able to leave my house without answering millions of questions before I leave. I do love the freedom, but because I can come and go as I please I sometimes lose track of time and forget that I do need to get home. With all the freedom I have, I had to learn how to prioritize my time and hold myself accountable for things.
Having my own house also means paying my own bills. No one likes paying bills, but if I want to live on my own it’s something I have to do. I have learned to watch how I spend my money and determine a want from a need. Although I still tend to splurge from time to time, I have learned that saving my money is probably the best option.
Living on my own in all has really taught me how to be an adult. It is no surprise that living on my own has made me do adult things whether I like it or not.
I have also learned to appreciate living with my parents. I was so caught up in moving out of my parent’s house that I never really stopped and realized how easy I had it. My parents did a lot for me when I was living at home and although they still help me out if I need it, they aren’t there to remind me to clean my room or to make me homemade meals that only my mom can make.
Living on my own has given me a chance to figure myself out and to really learn how to stay organized. I have come to appreciate little things like cable and home cooked food. I also now understand the nightmare of paying bills and the anxiety that comes with looking at a billing statement. Living on your own for the first time can be scary, but it teaches you live lessons that will last a lifetime.
