8 Tips for Living Alone

Living alone is an exciting endeavor in total independence, but it can be a difficult adjustment. Be environmentally friendly, save money and have fun living alone with these tips.

Living alone can be difficult for some people. With the increased independence comes increased responsibility. On the one hand, you don’t have to compromise with anybody else, but you also don’t have anybody looking out for you and have to manage everything yourself. To make the most from living on your own, it’s important to make an effort to take care of yourself and your wallet without harming the planet. 

1. Decorate

One of the best things about living alone is that you get to deck your place out exactly how you want. There are no family members or roommates to compromise with, so you can do whatever you want to make your house feel like a home!

Head to the second hand shops and buy some unique pieces to fill your home with character. Whether you want to create a minimalist home, focus on feng shui, or fill your space with colorful and dramatic pieces, it’s completely up to you! Save money and the planet by looking on Facebook Marketplace and eBay for some good deals. 

2. Keep Healthy Habits

When living alone, especially for the first time, it can be easy to fall into unhealthy habits. If there isn’t anybody around to hold you accountable, you may find yourself staying up late, eating junk food and forgetting to do your chores.

Of course you deserve to indulge yourself sometimes, but unhealthy habits can be harmful over time. Try your best to take care of your mental and physical health by maintaining a regular sleep schedule and healthy morning routine, practicing self care, exercising regularly, and keeping your home clean and organized. Keeping these basics in check will go a long way. 

3. Cook Smart

If you’re not used to cooking for one, you may find yourself accidentally wasting food and money. Create a smart cooking routine so that you can avoid moldy leftovers and constant take-out orders. You can do this by planning your meals before you go grocery shopping, and meal prepping for the week. This way, you end up with ingredients for meals which you are prepared to cook, rather than a bunch of impulse purchases.

Pack up your leftovers and remember to eat them! If you know you won’t eat them in the next few days, pop them in the freezer for a later date.

Try to buy versatile ingredients and non-perishables such as canned beans and dry pasta and rice. It’s also smart to have things like soy sauce, hot sauces, mayo, olive oil, herbs and spices on hand. If you find yourself unsure of what you want for dinner one night, it should be easy to whip something up from your kitchen staples. 

4. Save Money on Heating and Cooling

When living alone, all the bills are your responsibility as well. This can get expensive in winter and summer. Heating and cooling entire homes for one person really adds up.

In order to decrease your carbon footprint and save money on air conditioning in the summer, learn how to insulate windows to keep heat out and other ways to cool a room without an AC. There are also methods to save on heating in the winter, so you can keep your home warm without constantly running the heater.

5. Know Your Neighbors

Whether you live in an apartment building or on a suburban street full of houses, it’s important to know your neighbors. Knowing just a few people in your area can go a long way toward making you feel more comfortable and safe. You don’t have to be best friends, of course, but it’s nice to have somebody who will text you about your packages and let you know when you’ve left your garage door open. 

6. Entertain Yourself

Living alone can be lonely if you’re not used to spending so much time on your own. It’s important to learn how to entertain yourself without relying on others. At home, you can listen to music or podcasts, do some painting and cook new recipes. The place is all yours, so delve into your hobbies and make your time spent at home fulfilling for you. 

7. Socialize

On the other hand, if you start having too much fun at home, you may become a bit of a hermit. As great as it is to sit around in your pajamas and listen to podcasts all day, you need social interaction as well. Remember to make plans with loved ones, call your friends and family, and keep in touch with the people who matter to you. Remember, everybody has their own capacity for social activities, so you’ll need to figure out what type of balance is good for you. 

8. Stay Safe

One of the downsides of living alone is that it can be dangerous if you’re not careful. It’s important to be mindful of this and to be careful not to reveal your address or your living situation to the wrong person. Be wary of strangers, and be careful what you post on social media. 

When dating somebody new, for example, make sure you are 100 percent comfortable with them before having them come over. If you’re going out of town, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to house-sit. In general, it’s best to be extra careful.

Read more:

• Planting in Your Apartment: Tips for Beginners
• 12 Practical Tips for Minimalist Living: Make Your Life Easier
• What is Slow Living – and How Do You Slow Down?

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Tags: Guide Lifestyle Mental Health Personal Care Practical Tips