So here you are, excited to start a new chapter of your life. After years of being dependent on your parents, not worrying about bills, food, grocery, and home expenses, you’re finally ready to move out and be on your own. But have you ever asked yourself, are you prepared for this?
Being independent takes courage. You might think that you’re ready for big responsibilities, but nothing can prepare anyone for the reality of life. If you’re planning to move out and start a life on your own, here are the fundamental skills you need to have.
Shopping for food and cooking
According to the hierarchy of needs, an individual must fulfill the most basic essentials (water and food) to survive in the world. And it’s a no-brainer that to fulfill these needs, one must learn to shop for food and cook.
But the good news is that grocery shopping and cooking are now simpler and inexpensive than ever. Thanks to technology, you can shop for food right in the comfort of your home. There are thousands of easy-to-follow recipes on the internet if you want to improve your cooking skills.
However, grocery shopping is the easiest part of moving out of your parents’ home. Things get more challenging and complicated over time.
Organization skills and cleaning
You’re probably thinking that leaving your home means no more numerous house chores to do every day. But that’s where you’re wrong. When you move into your own apartment, no one else will do the chores but you. No more division of tasks and no more rewards for every task accomplished. Everything is your responsibility now.
Taking care of yourself
One of the most important things you need to do as an official adult is to take care of yourself. This means that you will be in charge of keeping yourself healthy from the moment you wake up until bedtime.
Your parents are no longer around to remind you when it’s mealtime or when you’re not eating healthy. Taking care of yourself also means ensuring that you schedule your appointments with the doctor, go there by yourself, and buy medicines when needed.
Managing your finances
As an adult, learning to manage your finances is imperative. At this point in your life, you have to learn to budget your money, save for your future, pay your bills, etc. Financial management also includes learning transactions in financial institutions- how to open a savings account, the proper way to write a cheque, or creating online accounts for easy payments.
You should also know that learning to manage your money is particularly important in building good credit scores. You’re most likely planning to buy a car or get a real estate property someday. Good credit standing is vital to achieving these critical milestones in your life.
Doing your laundry
Laundry is another house chore that you might not find enjoyable, but it can be a pretty fun thing to do. Besides, there are several ways to make laundry a bit easier. The first thing to do is to ensure that you’ve read the clothing labels. As you may know, some fabrics are too sensitive and cannot be washed in washing machines.
Here are some laundry tips to get you started:
- You don’t need to wash your jeans after every wear.
- You can wash your bed sheets every two weeks.
- To keep your linens clean, avoid lying in bed with your outdoor clothes.
- Do your laundry once a week to save energy.
It’s also important to learn to read the clothing tags as some clothes need extra special care. The tags can explain the cycle, washing instructions, and correct temperature to keep the clothes looking good as new.
Getting a job
Getting a job is probably the most important of all because, without it, your aspiration to be independent will eventually turn into a catastrophe. Independence means taking care of yourself in all aspects, including financially. You need to find a job that can provide for all your needs while enjoying life.
But don’t just settle for any job offer you get. Make sure to build a career that you like so you don’t have to live your life with regrets. If you like music, apply for a job in the music industry. And if you like art, a job at paint museums will probably suit you well.
Deciding to be independent is an exciting journey. However, it comes with plenty of physical, mental, and financial preparation. You can’t just decide today that you want to be independent and get out of the house the next day. This guide can help you start your journey to independence and be more confident in facing the reality of life on your own.
