Flying The Nest: How To Cope With The Transition
Living at home with your parents is cool…when you’re 16. As you get older, it becomes apparent that you have to leave to pastures new. Although it’s an exciting time, it’s also a tricky one. Leaving the safety of the nest for the first time is never easy, and the transition can be bumpy. Obviously, you want to avoid these stumbling blocks so that you can get on with living your life.
These are the tips that will help make the move as smooth as possible.
Make The Call
Everyone that moves away from home always fantasizes about never having to listen to their parents again! As exciting as this might sound, it will also be weird at first. Just think about for a second. You have lived with your mom and dad for the best part of 18 to 21 years. There is bound to be things which you think you hate, but that you are going to miss. The nagging of a mom is usually horrendous, yet the place will seem quiet without it. If loneliness starts to get you down, don’t be afraid to call the folks. They always have to time to talk to their children. Once you settle in, you can even have them round for dinner.
Create A Routine
Whether you like to admit it or not, you did have a routine when you lived at home. It might have been something like watching TV and playing video games, but it still counts. No matter how boring or monotonous it felt at the time, it was also a comfort blanket. A routine gives your life purpose, and you’re moving to a place where one doesn’t exist. The secret is to start one as soon as possible. Going to the gym on a Monday and drinks on a Wednesday is the best way to forget about life. It also gives you something to look forward to instead of sitting in an empty apartment.
Pimp It Out
New places are like blank canvases. And, blank canvases don’t transform into works of art with paint. What that means is that you need to decorate! In the beginning, the house won’t look or feel like a home. You should expect that because it is new and needs work. After a while, though, it should start to take shape. To begin with, get the big pieces of furniture in ASAP. Whether it’s student accommodation furniture or regular furniture, it makes all the difference. Not only does it take up lots of space, but it also increases comfort. Let’s face it – no one wants to eat dinner while sitting in a deck chair!
Take The Week
One of the hardest parts of the transition is juggling the move and everyday life. There just isn’t enough time in the day to complete all of the tasks, which is why it’s a clever move to have the week off. The pressure of work and moving into a new place is going to boil over at some point. If you take work out of the equation, there is less stress. Plus, you’ll get a lot more done, which means the place will come together quicker.
One last thing: good luck!