I have never lived on my own. Come to think of it, not many of us have, most of us have just lived in dorm rooms. The closest I’ve come to living on my own was with 9 people and I shared a room with three other girls, so I hardly count that as living by myself. Throughout my entire college career, a lot of people have asked me to live with them. To be roommates, suite-mates, guys and girls have asked me to live in apartments and houses and at the starting point I said yes. Who doesn’t want to move out of their parents house and finally start on their own? While mentally I’ve said yes, verbally I have had to say no each and every time. For me, I just can’t financially afford to not live at home. But, that’s not a bad thing.

I have the freedom to stay with whoever I want and wherever I want.

Living at home is comfortable.

I save a lot of money.

I think for a lot of people commuting to college from their childhood homes is a little bit embarrassing. From one commuter to another, there is literally nothing to be embarrassed about. I get it though. Like, when you tell people you still live at home they give you this look of sympathy. Hey, don’t be sympathetic on our account. We are saving big bucks AND we have snacks in our car, that's important to know. So, yes, even though sometimes we want to pack a bag and take off to God knows where, home is still home. My little brother (who will be moving out to college next year) asked how I felt about him leaving the house before me and I told him the truth. It’s really not that big of a deal. I’ve been around the block a little bit and when I move out, I’m going to MOVE OUT. On my own, new town, new job, no roommates… it will be about me and what I need.

Even though I’m ok with still being home, I am also fine with staying in all of those too warm or too hot dorm rooms occasionally. I've learned who true friends are and am very thankful for them. A big shout out to those of you who have let me leave my air mattress in your room for months on end. ;)