5 Reasons To Live On Your Own

Photo: Kazi Tahsin Agaz Apurbo

Most of us really want to live alone at some point of our lives, especially during the teenage years, when whatever your mom says sounds like yelling, whatever you dad says sounds like an accusation, and whatever your older sibling says sounds like a complaint about you. But then we think about it for a while and admit to ourselves almost instantly that it's not possible—'No. No way. There's no way I can live without maa.'
But there are many advantages in living alone, at least for a little while. Here are 5 reasons to live on your own:

1. You learn to take care of yourself: Admit it. If your mom doesn't wake you up with breakfast ready on the table, you would end up leaving home without breakfast. If your maid doesn't clean your room once you're out of the house, you will rather live in the mess than do it yourself. Or just wait for the maid to get around to it. Man or woman, everyone needs to know how to clean up after themselves. It is absolutely essential for a grown person to know how to take care of his or herself. And taking care means to do everything that your mom has been doing for you- feeding you, waking you up, cleaning your room etc.

2. You budget your money: With great freedom comes great responsibility. Even though you are now free to roam about your own place and do what you want without a peep from anyone, you will have to come in terms with the fact that you will have to be more responsible. And with that, you will finally learn to save and budget your money. Spending frivolously is not an option when you have to pay the bills or do the groceries. You have to save enough to eventually go into a savings account and pay off your credit card bills when it is due. You have to understand when you truly need to buy something and when you can wait a week for your next pay-check to come in. No one teaches you this. You learn it on your own.

3. You discover new things about yourself: Living alone gives you a lot of time to reflect on yourself- your actions, your motives, your future. It gives you the scope to think out loud and actually get to know yourself better. Without known people around you, you somehow get the opportunity to discuss issues with yourself, confront your own mistakes and also, learn things about yourself. You may be forced into a situation to handle on your own, which previously would be handled with family by your side. New situations can help bring about a new self.

4. You Learn to Appreciate Others: Since living on your own means to not have your family around all the time, it will really help you grow attachment. More often than not, we take our families for granted because we know they're always around. You will learn to appreciate your mom's efforts in making your favourite meals, and your father's help in getting the box down from a really high plane, and your sister's experiments with food, once you live away from all that love for a while. Humility will be your new companion when living on your own, and you will love it!

5. You learn to be self confident: This is the best part of living on your own. Soon after you move, you will one day sit back and realise all the wonderful ways you have changed, how you've become more responsible, how you've transformed from that spoiled brat into an actual adult. All these realisations will instil a kind of pride in yourself, which will help you respect yourself more. It can help greatly to increase your self-esteem and self-worth.

Now that you know some amazing things about living on your own, there is no need to be afraid. Yes, you will miss your family very much. But rest assured, they will be proud of you too the moment they see what an amazing, self-sufficient adult you have grown into. You don't have to move out forever. Maybe move out for the sole purpose of becoming independent.
So, are you ready to discover your new self?