About three years ago, I moved out from my parent's house into an apartment complex that was really only for college students. Never have I ever thought about moving out at 20, but I never experienced "dorm life" and I guess it was something for me to really conquer alone in order to really get a "taste" of what living alone feels like.
Well, it didn't go so well...
I realized from week one, I can't live with anyone. Sure I enjoyed the company, the three other bedroom doors I would see when walking out of my bedroom. Sometimes I'd see my roommate cooking, or watching T.V. and I felt out of place half the time. I was introduced to frat boys and a lot of social events that were just college parties in general. I realized after a few months of living off of frozen Bertolli' pasta dinners, and T.G.I.F takeout, and even eating a cheese curd from Culver's Fast Food was more than enough for me to say goodbye to student housing.
So I moved back home, broke the lease and dealt with financial debt from cutting the lease too soon.
On the other hand, three years later I've officially moved back out again with my parents and saved a little kitten during Hurricane Irma in Florida. Haven't regretted it once. Yet the challenges you face, and the number of organization skills you'd like to prep yourself for can be a tricky task. You have to meet deadlines, other than your school exams. Paying bills on time, and going the extra mile to keep yourself, your place, your pet (if you decide to get one) all becomes HIGH PRIORITY.
I've downloaded a couple apps to help myself stay organized and to always remember to do specific tasks. Whether it's taking the garbage out and loading it in your car, or settling to put it outside on your lanai for one night if you get home late from work. Lots of obstacles, and LOTS of solutions.
The biggest question I get living on my own at 23, is "Don't you feel a little lonely?" and of course I do, just like everyone. I like to think of it as "freedom" more than anything though. I like to think of it as having my comfort zones out in reality. Imagine, to feel comfortable in your own skin and be socializing among lots of people.
But you're not in your own space... so how does that apply to my situation you ask? Well, I get to be comfortable in my own little apartment and not have anyone be affected by my emotions, behavior, or even thought process. It's the most blissful feeling.
I've always been a homebody at heart, and it's always concerned me that maybe I love solitude too much. But self-care and comfort zones and making sure I, feel comfortable no matter where I am and what I do. Can only be achieved if I feel that way alone, and with myself. Mentally & Physically.
Freedom or loneliness? Is what I ask myself when I am alone and in my own place. Rain or shine, memories, and past memories can always linger and eat you alive. Anxiety and depression WILL creep on you, as it does to everyone.
But in that moment, where you're in a room alone and when you walk out that door... you've entered into your own living room space or even a "studio look" style room. And no one is sitting out couch, no one has a plate of breakfast ready for you. The laundry you set the night before is now all crinkled in your dryer, and you feel too lazy on a Sunday to fold your towels and organize your closet.
Living alone with no one in your space and no one to see when you wake up, can ultimately be the best feeling or the worst feeling. Paying your own bills and watching credit card statements come in the mail, from dreading to wash your own dishes, or even to cut a cucumber when you get home after a seriously long day. Take-out tends to look more appealing, every single time on bad days or lazy days.
But the real challenge is yourself.
To handle your emotions, bills, thoughts, self-care routines, school exams & studying, maintaining a clean place for yourself and guests, organizing your fridge and regular daily-eats, plunging toilets when you clog them and you're alone.
Having FOAM pouring out of your dishwasher when you've used too much dishwasher soap.
Unclogging the sink when you strain vegetables or pasta and lose a soldier in the process.
Trying to lay low on the wine nights, even when you have a chilled bottle waiting for you every night.
Realizing and self-discover what type of person are you, and if you're the type that enjoys roomies or enjoys hustling to the point of sacrificing your weekends to work to pay your bills and treat yourself every once in a while.
In the end, it's all about preference and perspective. What drives you to live the best, comfortable life in your own skin. With challenges, that either make or break you. & responsibilities that will make you feel as if you're genuinely insane.
After all, they do say "practice makes perfect" so prep for your life, challenges, moving out, staying with your family, living with roommates. Prep for you, and no one else.
