Pros and Cons of Living Alone

Have you tried living alone or experienced living far away from your parents?

If you have, you know how hard it is. And you know how easy some things can be, too.

I have recently heard rumors about bringing back face to face classes. For two years, we settled on online classes. But since the situation is getting better, schools are planning to open again.

It made me feel both nervous and excited. After all, I have experienced how it is to live alone to study. The rumors made me remember my life, living in a dormitory.

I am a college student in a university two hours away from my home. For convenience, I decided to stay in a dormitory. It felt like living alone like how some adults live.

It gave me an idea how to be independent, with no family to rely on so I kind of know how it is to live alone. If you haven’t tried dorm life, you may be wondering how it is.

Living alone has its own perks, of course. But it also has its own disadvantages. There are always a bright and dark side, right?

So… I’ll tell you a little bit about it by sharing my experience.

Perks of living alone

• More freedom going out because you don’t have to ask permission from your parents

If you live with your parents and they can be a little strict, you always have to tell them if you’re going out. They’ll ask you so much questions like where will you go, what will you do or who are your companions. Sometimes, the won’t even allow you to go out. But when you’re alone, you don’t have to tell your parents those things anymore. You can go out anytime and you can come home late without the fear of getting scolded.

• More motivated to do household chores because no one nags you to do them

Are you the type of person that when somebody tells you to do something you’re actually planning to do, you’ll lose the will to do them anymore? I’m like that sometimes. I dislike getting nagged and dictated when I’m already planning to do it. Parents are a little too hasty sometimes. When you live alone, you’ll get to do the chores willingly because no one told you to. You’ll be doing it for yourself and it’s really satisfying, being responsible in your own will.

• Learn how to manage your finances

This is the good side of living on a budget. You become better on handling your money. Every month or week, you have to make a budget plan and stick to it, or else you won’t have enough money to live on. Living alone teaches us discipline that will help us get through tough times.

• You can wake up early or late when you have no classes or work

Have you ever woke up because your parents have been bugging you to wake up, on a weekend, when you have no work or class? You know it’s really the worst way to start a day. But when you’re all alone, you can enjoy your sleep and make up for what you have lost during the past days.

• You'll have more peace

No one will make unnecessary noise at home because it’s only you. If you’re uncomfortable with slight noise, it feels really relieving live by yourself.

Disadvantages of living alone

• You have no one to help you in some chores when it gets busy

I struggled living in my dormitory when I got busy at school during exams as we’re too occupied with requirements and tests. You just have no time to cook for yourself or wash your clothes. You will wish that you have someone with you to help you with some chores but.. sadly, you live away from your parents.

• You may get short on your budget

Necessities are so expensive. It’s hard to handle some expenses. And there will be times when you won’t have enough and it is really hard to ask someone else for money.

• You’ll miss home cooked meals

I don’t know how to cook that much and I don’t have the time most of the time do it was really hard to have a proper meal. I got used to eating instant foods. I really missed home cooked meals when I was in dorm.

• You have no one to care for you when you’re sick

There were days when I felt unwell and I wished I had someone to cook meals for me, do some chores for me. Too bad, I was alone.

This is only my experience and some people may have had it harder or easier. Bottom line, there are good and bad things in everything. I hope we will always overcome the bad part.

Lead image edited in Canva

Stay healthy everyone ♥️