Things I Didn't Realize Before Moving Out

It's been a year since moving out. What a year it has been. I thought about writing about the journey, but then I thought about a better idea "Things I didn't realize before moving out". Before moving out, I had expectations and I laugh now because I have completely changed as a person from February 4th to now. My soul has had this huge shift, I feel liberated, I feel confident in myself, and I feel settled in this period of my life. That being said, I've learnt a lot. Like a lot! So I thought I would share with you everything I've learnt.

1) Lower your expectations

I don't know why I thought life would be Instagram worthy when I moved out, but I really thought it would be this fabulous living situation. Like Charlotte/Carrie from Sex and the City, my day-to-day would just be easy and smooth. Boy did I learn. Although I am more comfortable now, the first six months were difficult for me. Life isn't perfect, I had to get used to living on my own, which was challenging.

2) Insurance is a weird maze of fast talkers and a bunch of words I've never heard of

Tenants Insurance is something I had never used before, I didn't understand 50% of the sales pitch, I spoke to my insurance people at least three times before buying. I also learnt to not get insurance with your roommate because if you guys don't end up working out, it is incredibly difficult to cancel your plan because both people need to cancel. Get your own and build up your own insurance credit and don't let your parent's remove you from their car insurance plan in case you don't have a car. It's a bigger pain trying to get car insurance for the first time with no background.

3) Bills are a pain

I had never paid a bill before, these were legit questions: Did they come in in advance? After the months was over when would my bill come in? Why did I have to pay for installation? Why does NB Power charge $150 every time an account changes names? Which gas was better when picking from Embridge? What could I afford every month? I'm a lot better now, but being in super control with my finances, this was a huge moment of "Bills suck, but you're okay"

4) Live by yourself... at least for a little bit

I lived by myself for three months. It was when I realized how I wanted to live and it taught me the most about myself. I would recommend it to anyone because the only person you are responsible for is yourself and there is no one else out there who will take care of you. Like no one will shovel your driveway or do your dishes, it's all on you.

5) Decorating can start to be expensive

I love decorating, but I had to stop myself because it was fun, but the house is fine, I don't need anymore.

6) Second hand furniture is great

Believe it or not, most of my furniture is second hand. I bought a few pieces, but furnishing an entire apartment would have been too expensive. In my living room, I have three new pieces. I got my couches from a family friend, I put slip covers on them. I got my living room tables from my parents, and I painted them white. I also got my dining room table from my parents, but they wouldn't let me paint it (and after painting my living room tables, I'm good) It's great for the environment and it costs less.

7) Buy a clothing steamer

I burnt a hole in my shirt because I was running low on time and I needed to iron my shirt. I didn't have an iron so I thought holding my shirt over the boiling water would do the same thing. It doesn't.

8) I am really good at assembling furniture

It's weird, but I feel like I should add this skill to my resume.

9) Don't have parties at your house

I like my house to be uber clean and not filled with people. Had a party here once, and never again. Now that is not to say I don't mind having people over, but there is a reason why the wifi name is "Please leave by 11".

10) My parents are amazing people

Not only do they make great landlords, they are just these incredible people who taught me how to figure stuff out. I'm incredibly glad that they were my parents because otherwise, I don't think I would have been so independent or so resourceful. I knew how to take care of myself when I moved out, there were growing pains, but overall, I felt like I adapted to moving out really well, by myself without the help of anyone. No one needed to do stuff for me, I figured it out on my own and asked the right questions to get the answers I needed.

Thanks for reading,

Samantha