Tips For Living on Your Own

Living on your own might sound overwhelming. It does require a lot of responsibility, and you'll spend a lot of time with yourself, but that's not a bad thing. It's a tremendous opportunity to self-reflect and figure out who you are, what you like, and what you don't like. If you're about to embark on a solo living adventure, get excited. It's a liberating time, and it's entirely manageable if you take the proper steps. Below, you'll find a few helpful tips to help make your time living alone a true success.

Don't worry about what anyone else thinks; live free and create a unique space all your own. Then revel in its beauty.

Make Yourself Feel at Home

Living on your own has plenty of perks. One of the biggest ones is that you get to decorate your place exactly how you like it. You don't have to stare at your roommate's ugly paintings or tacky curtains. Your space is truly yours, so you should make a unique space at home to decompress after a long day at work. Decorate with items that make you happy, art that inspires you, touches that remind you of home or throw pillows your previous roommate hated. You are in charge. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks; live free and create a unique space all your own. Then revel in its beauty.

Don't Stretch Yourself Too Thin

While there are many pros to living on your own, one downside is that you have to pay all the bills. There's no one to split the rent or help out with groceries, so budgeting is vital if you don't want to overstretch your wallet. Set aside an evening to sit down with pen and paper (or an app) and a glass of wine, and create a budget you're comfortable with—factor in everything from rent and electricity to groceries and gas. You can also make a habit of planning your grocery list for the week ahead of time; this trick will help you be more mindful of the food you eat and help you cut back on impulse buying.

If you don't have a lot of stuff and don't mind getting creative with your layout, consider renting a studio instead of a one-bedroom. When you're living alone, you don't need the extra privacy, and you can potentially save hundreds a month on rent.

Get Out of the House

It's easy to shut yourself in every night after work. There's something so relaxing about sitting on your couch watching Netflix with a glass of wine. And while there's nothing wrong with that, you shouldn't make a habit of doing it every night. It would be best if you had human interaction. Avoid becoming a hermit by inviting a few friends over for a game night or going out with coworkers after your shift.

Appreciate Your Independence

While you might want one day to dream of having a friend live with you or settling down in a relationship, it's essential to appreciate this time in your life. You learn a lot about yourself while living alone. Please don't shy away from it or ride it out until it's over. Instead, appreciate this opportunity for what it is: a chance to develop your style, to create good life habits, or to dance around in your underwear. Go ahead; there's no one there to judge.

Keep Things Clean

When you share your space with others, you have more motivation or a sense of responsibility to keep the house (or common areas at least) clean. When living on your own, there's no one there to remind you to take out the trash or do the dishes. Still, you should maintain your home as if you're sharing it with someone else. A clean home decreases stress and helps promote relaxation. Plus, you avoid the panicked cleaning you have to do when friends tell you they're going to stop by unexpectedly.

Stay Safe

Living on your own is liberating, but it does present certain dangers. It would be best if you didn't live in fear, but taking certain safety precautions is sensible. Make sure you have a lock on your door that's not accessible from the outside. Never go to sleep with your doors or windows unlocked. If you can afford it, it's wise to invest in a security system.

Stock Up On Essentials

If you get sick while living with a roommate or partner, there's someone to run to the store and stock up on medicine, tissues, and soup. When you live alone, you're on your own, and no one wants to make a trip to the store when they feel like their head might explode. Stock up on essentials to avoid situations like this. Buy anything you need or want whenever you feel under the weather and keep it stocked. If you come down with a nasty cold or case of the flu, you'll be glad your past self was looking out.

Make this time in your life a fun one that you look back on with fond memories. Host dinners or game nights. Sing and dance around like no one is watching. Decorate with items and art that make your heart happy. Create lasting habits that will benefit you for years to come. Get a pet, do yoga in the living room, read in the bath, or learn to cook. Do whatever it is that makes you happy, and remember to enjoy it truly.

Final Thoughts

These tips can be a bit hard to follow at first. However, once you stick to them and make them part of your routine, they become part of your lifestyle. I hope these tips help you consider living on your own and becoming an independent individual. There will be many people who will doubt you, and you will be fine. As Commander Shepard once said, "Many decisions lie ahead. None of them easy." Good luck!