Living Alone for the First Time ? 5 tips that will help you

At some point in life, we all find ourselves wanting to move out and live alone, it can either be because of your job, higher studies or just getting to know yourself. Or because you have no other option apart from relying on your own. Whatever reason it is, making the decision of living alone comes in with lot of thinking, and anxiety for some people, I was one of them.  Through this post, we will address these doubts, and how we can overcome fear of living alone and we will see how we can have this major transition in life in a smooth way.

• The Art Of Living Alone:

Often living alone is considered scary, lonely, isolating experience. But, dear friends, it is quite the opposite, A journey of self-discovery, and a masterclass in embracing the beauty of solitude.

It’s the art of dancing in your pajamas, without fear of judgment, the art of eating an entire pizza by yourself, savoring without sharing. The art of creating a mess and loving every minute of it.

I would say it is peace, freedom to live life the way you want, to be yourself, to cry uncontrollably, to laugh hysterically- all without fear of someone watching you.

So, let us embrace this beautiful mess. For in the art of living alone, we find the courage to be our truest selves.

• Understanding the Fear of Being Alone:

In my case, I always enjoyed living with family and friends, after graduating, most of my close friends moved abroad for higher studies, and I have decided to not go to further studies just because everyone is doing so.

I wanted to take it slow and find out what I liked the most. I got placed in a company and I had to move to a different city and live in a new place all by myself, even my family stayed back in my hometown.

Not going to lie, at first it felt like nightmare, I had anxiety about living alone, i was feeling lonely. Maybe living alone is good, but I did not think it Is for me or at least when I am so unprepared of what to expect of this.

I moved to the city where I had to work, I found a place for me to live, my mother helped me move into it, I would have felt even more overwhelming if I did not have my family by my side to support me during this major transition in my life.

And after shifting all my things and setting up the place, my family returned to my hometown.

Now, it was me all alone, I had to fight darkest battles of my life that I have always dreaded so much, loneliness, fear of separation, an entire place organized for me to comfortably sit and overthink.

All my friends were enjoying life moving abroad while I am here stuck in a new place all because I thought I will find myself. In the moment, I started questioning my decision skills.

The first night I am staying alone, I just could not bear it anymore, the silence, the damn pin drop silence, I rolled up on to my mattress missing the days when I would hug my mom and she would pat my hair till I sleep, I missed days when I would just step out in to neighborhood and I would reach one of my friends home.

This went on for few weeks, unit I have decided enough of this weeping, I will make most of what I have.

Here are the top 5 things that helped me overcome my fear of living alone and helped me enjoy my own company and taught me how to live a happy life alone.

1.Start a Daily Routine

When you first start living alone, your thoughts are everywhere, you are thinking about everything, there are lot of things on your to-do list, It can get a bit overwhelming.

One thing that can get you out of this overthinking and help you focus on the present is to form a Daily Routine. I cannot stress enough of how important it is to have a routine, not just to stop overthinking, but it is an initial step of building your life and being productive even when there is no one or our parents to monitor and guide us.

A routine that is made only for you by you, not someone pushing you to do certain things, but you looking forward to wake up and start your day and love every part of it.

I started waking up early, go on an early morning walk, I understood the luxury of having slow morning, where you had to talk to no one, just you and your silly routine, and come back from the walk to cook your favorite food, you can bath and throw the towel on the floor, you can eat sleep wherever you like, no one to judge you.

2.Make yourself feel special:

Living alone does not mean you can’t feel like a royalty. In fact, it is the perfect excuse to pamper yourself! Set up a relaxing bath, give yourself a manicure or try out a face mask. Make yourself feel special, because, well, you are!

Remember how when we are in home and the guests arrive, we go out of our way to make them feel welcomed, to make them feel special.

Thinking back, it feels a bit weird how we can do so much for someone, but so little for ourselves. And this stops now, as much as a good routine starts your day in the right direction, sometimes we all need the days where we just stop worrying about productivity and just live, do nothing but to treat ourselves to some niceties.  

3.Take yourself out on a date:

Who says dates are only for couples? Take yourself out for a night and explore the city or town you are living in. Try out a new restaurant, go for a movie and yes, have the entire bucket of popcorn if you must.

You do not have to wait for someone to accompany you to do things, do not just keep waiting for the right moment, you will be a fool to do so. Do things you have always wanted to do but never had the chance. You will be surprised at how much fun you can have with your own company.

Plus, remember that living alone means you make the rules😊.

3.Self Care is Not Selfish:

Self-Care is a necessity, especially when you live alone. It’s easy to neglect your own needs and prioritize others but remember that taking care of yourself Is essential. Make time for activities that nourish your mind, body and soul, such as exercise, meditation, or journaling. Practice self-compassion and be kind to yourself. Take breaks when you need them and don’t be too hard on yourself.

Personally, whenever I feel tired or burnout by my daily routine, I just take one or two days off, I keep my mind off work and all other things, I cook myself something I love or just order in if I am too tired, I take myself to a spa and get a full body massage done , it is therapeutic , you should try sometime.

I just play songs and roll on my bed like a panda, or I just order in some food and watch Netflix all day. And it is okay, sometimes there are just the kind of days you need.

4.Start a hobby:

Living alone is the perfect opportunity to explore new interest and start a hobby! Always wanted to try painting? Grab a brush and canvas and get creative! Want to learn a new language? Download an app and get started! Want to try cooking or baking? Experiment with new recipes and ingredients. Starting a hobby can bring joy and fulfillment to your solo-living experience. It can also be a great way to meet new people and make friends. Join a club or group related to your hobby and connect with like-minded individuals.

I personally, stated book reading when I moved out started living alone for the first time. And it was the best thing I ever did for myself, it made me feel less lonely and I felt confident in myself, even if there is no technology or power cut, I could do days lost the fantasy world. So, what’s your escape?

5.Allow yourself to feel:

Last but not least, you have taken a big step, and it will take time to adjust.

It’s completely okay to feel lonely, feel scared, or overwhelmed when living alone. It’s okay to not be okay. Allow yourself to feel your emotions and don’t be too hard on yourself. Remember that it’s a journey and it’s normal to stumble sometimes. Be kind to yourself and know that you are doing the best you can. Don’t suppress your emotions or try to distract yourself with unhealthy habits. Face your feelings head-on and work through them. Write in a journal, talk to a friend or therapist if it is too intense and practice mindfulness.

Remember that your emotions are valid, and it is okay to feel whatever you are feeling.

Conclusion:

Living alone for the first time can be a daunting experience, but it is also an incredible opportunity for growth, self-discovery and empowerment. By embracing the silence, conquering the fear of loneliness and prioritizing self-care, you can turn your solo-living experience into a journey of transformation.

Remember, solo-living is not just about living alone, it is about living with yourself, and that is the greatest adventure of all.