When I graduated from college, I moved straight back home. It was to put it mildly…an interesting experience….

I love my parents and family, but it was definitely an adjustment to move back home after living on my own during college. During college, I had lived in the dorms and shared an apartment.

Living On My Own Terms

I got used to having my own space and doing things on my own time table. I didn’t have those things at home. It didn’t help either that I didn’t have a driver’s license until I turned 23.

Now the pluses? I got home made meals. My laundry was done. My room was clean. I enjoyed the loving and supporting company of my parents.

I Was Desiring to Live on My Own Again…

The bubble to live on my own soon desired in my heart again. I made a conscious decision to move out of my family home when I turned 25. My parents weren’t thrilled with the decision.

In fact, they never once openly expressed their opinion. Whenever I discussed moving out, they continued to focus their eyes on the television and behave as if they hadn’t heard me at all! It was like I was invisible!

I get it. If they hadn’t heard, how could they give their agreement, right? 🙂

Anyway, I finally found an apartment and wonderful rooomie to share the place with. I’m still living with her and now it’s been 4 years at this amazing apartment.

I want to share some reasons on why you should definitely considering living on your own at least once during your 20s! It’s definitely helped me to grow up and been overall just a beautiful experience.

You Become More Responsible

Living on my own has made me more aware of my responsibilities. I don’t have my parents to clean the place or do my laundry anymore. Things I took for granted like paying for utilities and rent are now my responsibilities.

Betters Your Relationship with Your Parents & Family

Because I realized the things I took for granted while living at home, I developed a new found respect for my parents. Also, having space now, it bettered my relationship with them. Whenever we spent time with each other, we valued the time immensely.

You Explore and Experience

Being in your twenties is a great way to explore what you want from life and even what you don’t want… I definitely took the time to party and go out. After a while, when the partying lifestyle got boring, I explored other things like going to the city to check out an art museum or trying a new wine. Or painting.

It’s a great time to experiment when you’re living on your own.

Can Stay Out Late or Not!

One of the most enticing things about living on your own is to do everything at your own time table. You are not accountable to anyone about how late you stayed or where you’re going. Ironically and amusingly, I actually now make the decision to not go out or come home early. I enjoy staying in!

Date Freely

It’s a lot easier to date and bring someone home! You don’t have to think about whose going to be there. Personally, I could also spend more time with my guy because I had my own time table.

Learn About Yourself

Just like living with someone shows you their good and not so great sides, I feel it’s the same for ourselves. I learned a lot about what I truly wanted from my life and came face to face with confronting emotions. I learned to be more comfortable being myself as well.

You Become More Independent

I learned to depend on myself and become self-sufficient. It’s easily one of the most important life skills I learned living on my own!

Comfortable Doings By Yourself

Another beautiful thing that came out of this whole thing? I feel comfortable being myself and being with myself. There have been several times I’ve watched a movie by myself. Or I went to grab a meal on a Friday or Saturday night with only moi as company. Why? Because I enjoy my own company.

What is your biggest takeaway from this post? Please share with me in the comments!