As a child, most people imagine moving out of their parents' house for the first time. It’s a mile stone in life that the majority of people cannot wait for.
The anticipation.
The excitement.
The adventure.
The freedom.
All these reasons and more are what keep people fueled to be able to move out on their own. And while living on your own sounds like one of the greatest things in the world, it sometimes isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Yes, you get the freedom from being away from your parents and making your own rules and doing whatever you want, but you also get the responsibilities that come with adulthood.
I’m currently in the process of packing up my room at my parents' to move back to school, except this year, I’ll be living off campus in a house with two other roommates. And yes, I’m insanely excited. I miss school. I miss the city. I miss all my friends from school. But no, I’m not looking forward to having to work so much to be able to afford rent and utilities.
There are some things that most people don’t realize when they first move out on their own.
Not everything in your apartment or house is going to match -- especially if you’re a broke college student. You’re going to have mix-match furniture and mix-match kitchen sets. Your plates are probably going to clash as are all of your mugs. Even your rugs and your lamps and the awkward little desk you set your tiny box TV from when you were 13 or 14 on. You’re not going to have a lot of nice, expensive things. You’re not going to be able to afford it. And that’s OK. That’s life. It’s a process. You start saving up for things; buy things that do match, one by one. And eventually, everything won’t clash anymore.
Your first (or even second, third, maybe even fourth) place isn’t going to be nice. It’s most likely not going to be some really nice, two-story, four-bed, three-bath with a loft kind of place. You’re not going to be able to afford that. That’s just not reality. You’re going to have to deal with the awkward, one-story, three-bed, one-and-a-half-bath little house. And yeah, you’re probably going to hate it at first for this reason or that. But that’s what is great about getting your own place. You get to make it your own. You get to make it a home. Maybe it’ll be a little cramped, especially if you have three or more people living in it and you’re all sharing one shower. But these people are your new family. And this is your new home. And this is a new chapter in your life. So make the most of it. Get that funny looking painting from Goodwill and that chair from that garage sale that clashes with the sofa your uncle said you could have. It’ll give your home character. It’ll make it more of your own.
Last but not least, food. You’re going to have to get creative (and most likely repetitive). Lots of Cup of Noodle and Mac and Cheese, lots of Top Ramen and Hamburger Helper. It’ll be all you can afford. And that’s OK. You just are going to have to make due, and try not to eat out at McDonald’s and Taco Bell all the time (that’s not healthy anyway so try not to fret too much).
Yeah, moving out on your own can be really exciting. But it’s a game changer. It’s a slap in the face. It can be scary. And it’s okay to be scared. No one said you had to be super confident every time you did something once you were officially an “adult.” You’re allowed to be nervous and anxious and scared. You’re allowed to admit to all of those things, too. Being an adult is taking care of yourself and being brave, but it’s also admitting when you’re scared. It’s not hiding and not telling anyone.
Just know, you’re not the only one in the world nervous to move out on their own away from their parents comfort and help. We all get a little nervous. It’s going to be OK.
