10 Realities of Living on your Own

Hello my little loves! Last month marked my one year anniversary of living on my own, and whilst there have been ups and downs, I can safely say that it’s been a truely enriching experience. I moved away from home, away from all my family, friends and my boyfriend for a brand new job. I was so nervous and I can remember looking for tips and advice before I moved and everything I read was comforting and helped to calm my nerves. So I thought I would add to that with this post!

           *sourced via Pinterest

1. Realising how immune you are to your own mess
So as it turns out, your false sense of superiority when it came to your former housemates inability to keep things tidy was exactly that – false. Completely and utterly misguided, and if you’re honest, some of those passive aggressive post-it notes regarding the disgusting state of the bathroom/kitchen/living room/entire house should have been addressed to you. Finding a cleaning routine for yourself early on is pretty much key to living in a hygienic house that doesn’t make you dread the thought of unexpected visitors.

2. Pondering the existence of ghosts
There is an unspoken rule that when you live on your own, your house/flat makes 100% more weird noises than when you live with other people. And until you become accustomed to your homes fun little quirks, these will terrify you into inhabiting only one room – especially when it’s dark. Oh, you’ve gone to bed but you need a drink from the kitchen? I hope you enjoy being thirsty. You’ve been settled in front of the TV but now you need the loo? Better cross those legs!

3. Having complete and total control of the remote
However, whilst you’re sat there with your full bladder you can revel in the fact that you can watch whatever you want, that TV remote is aaaall yours. If, like me, you have previously lived with people who have pretty strong ideas about what everyone should be watching on TV, this kind of power can be a bit unnerving. And slightly disappointing when you realise that there is never anything on.

4. Disliking your new found independence
So you liked what Beyonce had to say and you wanted to be an independent woman too? Well, you got it! Like, seriously, you are on your own now. What Queen B forgot to mention is that there isn’t anyone one else to complete the more menial tasks, even if you really, really can’t be arsed. Basically, if you don’t do the cooking, washing or shopping then your cupboards will be empty and you will be hungry and dirty.

5. And then enjoying doing things for yourself
Once you get over the shock that you are now considered a self sufficient adult, you will probably find that doing things for yourself if actually quite empowering. Who knew you’d get such a kick out of paying all your bills on time or figuring out the best deal on eggs at the super market? Weird!

6. Realising that clothes are now optional
However, if you just really don’t want to do the washing today, deciding to not bother with clothes is now acceptable. And absolutely glorious! (Obviously this only applies when you’re inside your own home, please do not walk the streets naked – you’ll get arrested)

7. Not being judged for your Netflix binge
We’ve all been there, you sat down meaning to only watch one episode of Breaking Bad but now you’re two series in and Netflix is asking if you’re still watching. Luckily for you, there’s no-one here to judge you but Netflix so you can just click ‘Continue Watching’ and crack on with your binge. In fact, while you’re at it, put in a pizza and pour yourself a drink – you deserve it, you’re almost at series three after all.

8. Creepy crawlies are your problem now
If, like me, you have relied upon other people to deal with spiders and their many legged friends for most of your life then you are in for quite a ride. Nothing says horror more than the realisation that it’s you who has to get rid of the giant monster-moth that has just flown in through the bathroom window, otherwise you won’t be showering before work, which isn’t really an option.

9. Looking after yourself when you’re ill
Just as there’s no-one to help you with the household chores, there’s also no-one to listen to you whine look after you when you’re ill. Yep, you are your own nurse now. Stock up your medicine cabinet and you’ll be fine. Or if you’re really struggling, con people into coming over to look after you with promises of food and socialising, just don’t mention your lurgy, they will not come if you reveal your true intention.

10. Getting to know yourself
It may not seem like it to begin with, but spending so much time on your own is actually great. Once you get past those first feelings of loneliness, living alone is an amazing chance to get to know yourself without being distracted by other people. You get to discover what you truely like, dislike, enjoy or don’t enjoy without being swayed by other people’s emotions or opinions. And knowing how to be happy alone is important as you can bring so much more to a relationship and your life by being able to sense when you’re truely happy.

So there you have it! I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. I suppose my last piece of advice would be to enjoy this time that you spend living on your own, it is a luxurious thing to be able to spend so much time focussing on yourself and being able to live your life completely for you.

Hannah x