Learning In The Real World

     

     You learn a lot when you move out and get into the real world. It's so much different from when you are living at home and going to school. Life was so easy then and we didn't even realize it. In my opinion, high school didn't prepared me at all for the real world; the big world outside the four walls of a school building. The world that is full of responsibilities and opportunities. I had to learn it on my own, as I went; learning from my mistakes.

     I left home at age twenty, and moved in with my brother and sister-in-law. I lived with them for a little over two years and then I moved in with three friends. Although I was technically out on my own, it wasn't the same as being completely responsible for a house/apartment. For three and a half years, I was in the real world, but only had half of the responsibilities since I was living in other people's homes. Boy, did I learn a lot when I moved in with KC fourteen months ago. Here's a few things I learned the hard way:

• Internet is expensive! I had no idea I would be paying $60+ a month just to be on the internet. I definitely took that for granted when I was using my brother's and friend's hotspots.

• The bills never end. I swear, as soon as I get them all scheduled for payment, the next month's bills are in the mailbox. I feel like all I do is pay for utilities.

• Having a cool house isn't worth the high energy bill. OMG! I didn't expect a/c to cost $200+ in the summer to keep the house cool enough to where you aren't sweating on the couch. We invested in box fans and got our bill a little lower.

• Cleaning never ends either. Keeping a house clean is harder than it looks, especially when you also work full time. Major props to my mom who always kept a clean home for all of us.

• Making the bed just makes the whole room look better. I never understood why my mom always insisted that I make my bed everyday when I was just going to mess it up again that night, but now I know. It just makes everything better, even if there's stuff on the floor.

     These are just a few of the things I've learned/noticed so far since I've really been out on my own. I wouldn't have it any other way though! Welcome to adulthood!

xoxo