Everything You Wanted To Know About Living Alone, But Were Afraid To Ask

Recently Blake wrote about what it’s like to live on campus, I figured I’d throw in my two cents and talk about another option when it comes to moving out.

That option? Living alone.

I moved out early last year at the young age of 17. I know my experience is a little uncommon, but there’s always been a common trend in the questions I get when people learn about my lonesome living. Here are the answers to some of those questions – and a few handy tips.

"Doesn’t it get lonely?"

Yes! Of course! But isn’t that what cats are for? (In my case, plants.)

Kidding. Though it can get lonely living alone, after a full day of being out and about at uni and work, sometimes the best thing is to come home and just unwind by yourself.

Tip: Know when the loneliness is getting to you and how to get over it.

"What if you get robbed?"

This is something anyone must consider when living anywhere, alone or not. Living alone means that you definitely know when you’re getting robbed as there should be no one else with you.

Tip: Invest in a baseball bat – and NO horror movies. Just don’t do it to yourself.

"What’s it like shopping for yourself?"

Tedious. Budgeting is evil. A necessary evil. Living by yourself means you are in control of what you eat and that you can go through those crazy food phases without judgment. (Whole tub of ice-cream? No roommate to eat it. Living off vegetables after eating that whole tub of ice-cream? No roommate to steal your carrots.)

Tip: Never, ever buy 2-minute noodles. They are actually evil.

"What do you do if you get sick or injured?"

You don’t leave your bed until you really have to. Getting sick alone is a pretty tough thing to go through, but it’ll happen eventually. You won’t always have your mum to nurse you back to health. Do make sure you have an emergency contact – whether it is a parent, relative, or friend - who can drive you to the hospital if something bad happens. (Give your emergency contact a key and make sure they know they’re your contact.)

Tip: Bring your phone to the bathroom. If you slip in the shower you can ring someone, or better yet, 000.

"Does it mean you never wear clothes at home?"

I live in a block of flats with very wide windows. That means no walking around naked for me. Those lucky few who live a life free of nosey neighbours should cherish their naked freedom.

Tip Be nice to your neighbours and keep their noses away.

Living alone isn’t for everyone. It took me a while to get used to it and there are some days where it can be a challenge. It made me find out things about myself I didn’t know before, learn some new skills, and made me discover that being alone is not a bad thing. Sometimes it can be the best thing.

So, the next time you’re sitting on your kitchen floor in the middle of the night with that tub of ice-cream, contemplate your choices when it comes to moving out. You have quite a few. Living by yourself may just be the one for you.

Caitlin Moore is one of Student Edge’s student contributors. Learn more about our contributors program.