I've had quite a few living situations over the past few years. I've lived with roommates, boyfriends, friends, and family. Each of them are
very different. After living with other people, living alone takes some time for adjustments. For awhile I wasn't sure if living alone was really for me, but after learning a thing or two I think I got this solo habitation thing down.
Here's a few ways you can conquer living on your own.
Learn how to cook a few basic meals
I truly suck at this one. I don't know how to cook many things at all, but I'm always trying to learn. I don't know what I would do without the internet, or without my parents helping me when I call them in the middle of a grocery store
"what's the difference between vegetable oil and olive oil?". It's tricky too because most recipes make at least 4 servings, but if you master some recipes that freeze well and invest in some good food storage containers (
mason jars are great too!) you can avoid the leftover blues.
Make it your own
You can decorate however you want! There's nobody else that needs to approve your fluffy pillows or lime green accent chair. That space is ALL YOURS so make it represent you. Hang up all those pictures from your trip and paint the walls whatever color you want. Seriously, do it!
Get some animal friends
This is one that I'm really good at. Fur babies are a lot of work, but they definitely keep you from feeling lonely. After having a rough day at work, it's nice to come home and see my little animals happy to see me. They also keep you busy, between walks and playtime - never a dull moment. Snuggle time is also a plus.
Get some hobbies that involve being social
It's really easy to shut yourself out when you live solo. There are weeks where I don't socialize except for when I'm at work, and at the end of those weeks I tend to go a little crazy. Discover new hobbies that require you to interact with other people: take a gym class, join a book club, volunteer at an event - there are so many possibilities.
Install an automatic light
It can feel pretty scary living alone at times. This is a precaution that's easy to take and makes me feel safer. Install an automatic light on the side of your house or your garage, so if anyone is going where they shouldn't be, it should deter them. You could also buy a product like the
Belkin WeMo switch, that allows you to control a plug in with your smartphone, so you could turn on your living room lamp anytime to make it look like someone is home.
Understand that you will feel lonely at times
It's inevitable - you're going to feel lonely sometimes when you live alone. This is completely natural and you should try and recognize the signs of your loneliness sooner rather than later. It really made a difference when I noticed my triggers and I could address them right away. During those times reach out to a friend for a get together, or have a skype/facetime chat with someone from out of town. If you can't seem to get a hold of anyone (because it'll happen), do something special for yourself! Take a hot bath, do your nails, discover a new online playlist that you want to listen to on repeat - do something that puts you in a fabulous mood!
How do you handle living alone?
