Photo by The Blowup
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this piece belong to the writer and are for informational purposes only.
Many of us tend to fear the idea of moving away. Maybe it is because we are forced to be independent or even dreading the idea of being alone. Personally, I have faced the same situation as I had to move away from home to pursue my studies. But honestly, it is not all that bad as some good has come out of it. However, there are must know the basics of what to do when living alone.
There are a few basic practices a person should do. For instance, jotting down one’s expenditures, setting up schedules to do chores, as well as taking safety measures or even preparing items that can be used for self-defence.
Expenditures
As young adults, we tend to spend money without setting a limit in our mind. This will inherently burn a hole in our pockets, affecting us significantly when desperate times arise. However, by jotting down our daily or even weekly expenditures in a journal, it will considerably help to keep track of them. These expenditures may include money spent on groceries, food, transportation, and utility bills. Personally, I’ve noticed a change in my expenses when I started taking note of them because it’s minor things like this that help us save a little more. This has worked for me as I can allocate enough money for my weekly expenses as well as having enough savings for when an emergency arises.
Scheduling Chores
I’m sure everyone relates to pushing chores aside for the next day after returning from class or work. Unfortunately, this will lead to it piling up and adding unnecessary stress onto us as we would need to juggle between our work and chores. Therefore, having a set schedule to allocate chores on certain days is ideal for proper time management. For example, my schedule consists of me mopping and cleaning on Fridays but doing laundry on Sundays. This arrangement allows me to have enough time during the weekdays to complete my assignments and have some personal time for myself.
Safety
Oftentimes, commuting from one place to another has been a norm for many. We know the world is not as safe as it should be, so it is essential to take safety measures when one’s out and about. One of them is by having emergency contacts ready for when something unforeseen happens. Another pro-tip is carrying a bottle of pepper spray if you need. This handy tool is an accessible way of protecting yourself as I will bring pepper spray when I am going out alone to feel protected.
All in all, living alone also has its perks since you get to experience and learn essential life skills along the way. Better yet, you really get to grow as a person with the experience by living independently. However, you must have the initiative to follow these steps to achieve that growth. I can definitely say I’ve been able to be more independent and responsible from this. So, why don’t you give it a try?
By Denisha Vaghasia