Moving into a place of your very own... it's a big step, right? And when embarking on the big adventure of living on my own for the first time, there were a few things I began to notice when going about my day-to-day life. If you're about to move out on your own for the first time, prepare to start noticing these things too... ๐
How much money you're spending. ๐ท
When you have roommates, it's easy to just split the bills evenly and not really think about where your money is going. When you're living with your parents, you usually have a cushty deal and pay a little board. But when you're on your own, every penny matters. You become more mindful of what you buy and how often you go out to eat (or order in!). Suddenly you realise just how expensive life as an adult really is.
You learn how to do things yourself. ๐งบ️
Yes, I'm talking about everything from laundry to fixing a clogged sink. Not the most glamorous of jobs, eh? It can be daunting at first, but once you know how to take care of yourself, you'll suddenly feel like an empowered, independent woman!
Having your own space is both a blessing and a curse. ๐ด
Sure, having your own space can be great. It means that you can decorate your rooms however you want, slob out in your muckiest gear with no judgement, and binge whatever Netflix shows you want. Your own space can come with a dark side too though; it's really easy to get messy when living by yourself and having no one else around! For me, I notice this most in the kitchen, where everything gets left out for days before I bother putting dishes away... or even doing the dishes at all.
You establish your own routine. ⏰
When you have roommates or family members living under the same roof as you, there's always someone around to mess with your plans or change the time you were going to wake up. But when you're living on your own, it's just you – and that means that you can do things exactly how you want them done!
Basic things can bring you little bits of happiness. ๐ฅ
Settling down to watch a movie becomes somewhat more satisfying when it's in your very own living room, and cooking a delicious meal for one suddenly has you feeling like a goddess.
You really do have to become more responsible. ๐คท♀️
This is probably the most important thing that I learned when living on my own – I had to be completely responsible for myself, and there was no one else to fall back on. If something went wrong, it was up to me to fix it... or call my dad when I get completely stuck, of course...
What did you notice when you moved out for the first time? Share your thoughts in the comments below!