home

Me? Living alone? HA. That would’ve been the joke of the century only just last year. I’ve always relied on my family and friends for support – which is perfectly normal and acceptable, except that I also leaned on them when I was lost in my own city. 3AM phone calls because Maps wasn’t cooperating. I WAS THAT FRIEND. I decided to live on my own when I gained the confidence with my job as a flight attendant. It’s the most amazing thing I have gained, ever, and I just wanted to share some of the things I’ve learned since.

• No one cares if your dishes and silverware don’t match. It’s quirky, and fun, so save your money and let go of the stress.
• Location is key. Living somewhere that brings you so much joy is crucial.
• Find your community. Whether it’s your gym, work place, coffeeshop, or book club. Find em and cherish em.
• Your friends love you and want to hangout with you. But YOU need to be the one to initiate it sometimes. I actually learned this when I started flying and noticed my friends were hanging out without me because they never knew when I was home or flying!
• THRIFT YO SHIT. I thrifted my pantry organizers (storage cubes, shelf risers, jars, etc), some furniture, baskets, bakeware, mixing bowls, and plant pots, and saved so much money. Buy Nothing Facebook groups, Craigslist, and Facebook marketplace are also worth checking out!
• Investment pieces should be items you will need when you eventually move out. IE: bed, mattress, some furniture, TV.
• Change doesn’t happen overnight. Your place doesn’t need to look perfect right after moving in. In fact, 4 months later and I still don’t have anything hung up on my walls. Cut yourself some slack.
• Using Instagram and Pinterest as inspiration is fun, but can set unrealistic expectations. Work within your means and do the best you can to create a cozy space for YOU.
• Having a small space has some perks – like sweeping taking a total of 10 minutes.
• Having a dog helps with loneliness. Same with plants.
• Accept loneliness and know that you are NOT ALONE in feeling that way. Also learned this with my flying gig.
• When the loneliness kicks in, get out. Go outside. Recharge with the outdoors. I also feel great being surrounded by people (even though they are strangers and even when I’m not speaking to anyone) in places like coffeeshops, the library, the park, and grocery stores.
• Making the bed is the most adulting thing you could ever do, especially since you’re not doing it for anyone else. Do it for you.
• Meal prep with or for friends to save some money. And that way, you won’t get sick of the same meals.
• You’re just gonna have to ask people to take their shoes off if you want them off. Just gotta do it.
• It’s okay if it doesn’t feel like home just yet. What makes it feel home is the time spent with your friends and family in your space. Creating memories. Sleepovers. Dance parties. Movie nights. The corner where your first Christmas tree was. This is probably the most important thing I realized.

If you’re living alone too, props to you. It’s not always easy, but damn does it feel good to come home to your own slob and decorate your sanctuary to be 100% YOU. All the love.