After living by myself for almost three years now -- writing this was a reality shock and now I feel old even though I’m only 20. I’ve come to realize that living by yourself is not always as amazing — or as bad — as people make it out to be. That’s why I decided to come up with a list of things that prove living alone is pretty tough AND the best thing ever at the same time.

1. Grocery shopping

Once you move out of your parents' house you learn the fridge doesn’t fill up by itself. I know, what a surprise.

When you where young and wanted something to eat you could just open the fridge and there where 10 different snacks every single time. Now? If you don’t go and buy them, chances are you’ll be surviving thanks to that McDonalds near your place.

The good thing is that you can go grocery shopping and get whatever you want! Feel like buying nothing but Nutella? Go for it! It’s not like your parents are there to stop you.

2. Doing the laundry/the dishes

Ask me what’s the worst part about living alone and I’ll tell you “doing the laundry and the dishes” every single time. At first, it’s all happy because you don’t have your mom constantly reminding you to wash what you got dirty.

After a while, your sink can’t hold any more plates and you don’t have any more clean clothes and because Eve bit the apple, we are no longer allowed to walk around naked, so you have to go and be an adult for a little bit and wash your clothes.

The good thing? You get to learn more about your limits!

How long will it be until I have no more mugs to drink coffee out of? How many weeks can I go without touching the washer?

Only time will tell my friends.

3. You realize everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, is expensive

Rent? Expensive

Car insurance? Expensive.

Water? Expensive.

Vegetables? Expensive.

Breathing? Expensive.

4. Getting excited when your parents visit

You learn to cherish every moment you get with them and because of that, your relationship will improve a lot. They start seeing you as the adult you are -- or pretend to be -- and most importantly: mom visiting means a fridge full of homemade meals.

Enjoy your happy moment while it lasts.

5. You can wear whatever you want, or nothing at all for that matter

No explanation needed here.

Living by yourself can be intimidating, but once you do it there’s no coming back. Yes, it’ll be a struggle sometimes but it is also the most amazing thing ever!