Living alone has many benefits and hardships. Overall I think it is a great experience everyone should undergo because it really helps shape you into who you want to be. Living alone helps you have quality alone time for you to learn more about yourself. Being able to do what you what when you want because you don’t have to be polite to anyone else is pretty nice, but being the only cleaner not so much. With that said not only does it help you manage your time, it helps you pick and choose your priorities and learn how to say “no” or “I can’t” to people because you actually have to go home and clean. Here is a list of the four things you learn living alone:

1. There is no such thing as a laundry fairy:

No matter how hard you wish, hope, and maybe even pray, all of the dirty laundry is yours and yours only to do. If you’re out of towels or rags that’s on you. For some of us we work or go to school from sun up till sun down, so finding time to do laundry is nearly impossible. Because we all know if you leave a load in the washer too long it will smell bad. So we rely on the weekends or days off but sometimes we just want to sit around and literally do nothing... Unfortunately, there is no way to win.

2. Houses make noise:

It’s ten at night, you’re lying in bed all of a sudden you hear a noise. What is that? Or who is that? As you sit there contemplating how they will find your attacker after your dead body is discovered you soon realize how dramatic you’re being. Houses in general, especially older ones tend to creak and make noises. Who knows maybe there are some mice crawling around (ew) but it’s a valid point.

3. Being alone a lot is refreshing:

Being able to walk in your house, kick your shoes off, blast some music and do whatever is so nice. Maybe you’re making pizza at one am or cleaning the kitchen... Whatever it is, it's nice knowing you don’t have to worry about someone else sleeping. Being able to do what you want is refreshing, and knowing this may only be for a short period in your life makes you value it even more.

4. Priorities are important:

When you live alone, prioritizing your house chores, social life, school and work is nearly impossible. Some things lag and it’s hard when you’re the only one living there you don’t mind if a sweatshirt is on the floor. Doing the quick “fabreeze frenzy” before others come over is always a nice rush of adrenaline to get your blood pumping. Overall, making house chores a priority is very important, so maybe designate one day a week to deep clean and daily light clean before bed so you arise to a neat and tidy house. Being the only cleaner also helps you learn how to say “no” to people because you have to go home and clean.