Your First Time On Your Own

Being on your own for the very first time is a pretty tough concept to wrap your mind around. Whether you're going away to college, moving, or experiencing your friends finishing college, the emotional roller coaster can be very hard to navigate. It is a new situation that you will have to learn to get through, and many times this is easier said than done.

Depending on your situation, whether you had friends that moved on or are just starting in a new place, you more than likely are going to go through a stage of depression. Seeing other people's lives that you used to be intermixed with go on without you can be pretty hard to handle. You may feel like you're missing out and may even become jealous of those who get to be involved in the lives of those you care about. Feelings of regret, resentfulness, and longing to be back with the people you know will take over your mind; but luckily there are many ways to get through it.

First, and most obviously, you should try to meet some new people. Being on your own and all alone can be pretty depressing, and if you don't do something about it, you could spiral downhill quickly. Talking to new people, joining new clubs/organizations, and stepping outside of your comfort zone are all great ways to get through this. If you're usually pretty shy, make a personal goal to talk to more people and try to make new friends; it will really help more than you'd imagine.

Next, you should do your best to keep busy. Whether you choose to really focus on your education/work, get involved in new activities, hang out with friends, or anything else, you will eventually get through this slump. Another great idea which I'd highly recommend for anyone, is going on a health kick. Start being more active, eating healthy and taking care of your body. It will give you something else to stay busy with, and the social, physiological, and psychological benefits are phenomenal.

Finally, if you don't feel yourself getting any better, seek help. Change is a part of life, and some of us have a more difficult time adapting than others. This can be a hard step to decide to do, but I promise you, it will help. Whether you just need someone to talk to and have guidance from, or if you think you may have a serious problem, use the resources available to you. Many colleges have free counseling services for students and additional counselors are just a google search away. If you have not attended counseling in the past, it can be diffiicult to start. However the benefits that you will get from it are fantastic and will help you learn and grow.

So if you are having a hard time adapting to life on your own, take action and try to make some changes. If you notice someone else who may be struggling, share your knowledge, advice and support. Together we can all make it through these transitional difficulties.