Essential Survivial Tips for Girls Who Are Going to Live Alone for the First Time ...

1. Save

When you’re suddenly in charge of your finances, or simply when you have money to spend for the first time, it can be easy to just want to splurge 24/7. Rather than let your finances slip away from you, come up with a method to track them. Whether you keep it in a phone or a notebook, budget how much you’re spending each month, what you’re spending money on, and where you’re saving money.

2. Meal Prep

When you’re used to have housemates, a dorm cafeteria, or your parents to cook for you for the majority of your meals, being in charge of your own meals every day of the week can get a little intense. Whether you’re working or going to school, prepare your meals in advance. Prepare healthy lunches to bring to work or school with you in advance so you don’t grab food that’s bad for you when you’re running out the door. If you’re constantly ordering takeout when you come home late at night, prepare some meals in advance so you simply have to throw in the oven or on the stove when you get home. It’s faster and healthier than takeout!

3. Leave the House

When you’re living alone, it can become comfortable to just stay at home most of the time. You don’t have anyone around encouraging you to get out of your comfort zone. Rather than let yourself get comfortable with staying in, force yourself to get out there from the very beginning.

4. Stay Accountable

When you’re living with other people, they’re constantly reminding you to do certain things, whether it’s homework or work in general. However, when you’ve moved out, everything falls to you. Don’t let yourself get lazy. Stay accountable of everything in your life, from homework to bills, because you don’t have anyone else helping to keep you on task.

5. Find Something That Makes You Happy

When you live alone, things can get lonely fast. When you first find yourself feeling lonely for the first time, find something to do that makes you feel happy. Whether that something is going to your favorite store, calling your best friend, or watching a movie, when you feel lonely, you’ll always have something to comfort you!

6. Stay on Top of Your Chores

Laundry piles up fast. So do chores. When you don’t have people to remind you to do them, or other people staring at your dishes or laundry wondering when you’re going to get them done, it can be super easy to keep putting it off. Instead, make an effort to get your chores done at least once a week.

7. Decorate over Time

When I first moved in alone, I spent a lot of time thinking about decorating my new place and didn’t really think about essential things I needed. In the grand scheme of things, you can spend a lot of time thinking about decorating while you’re living there. If it’s not essential to you moving in, don’t worry about it just yet.

What are your top tips for living on your own? Let me know in the comments!