10 things I learned living by myself in Dublin

10 things I learned living by myself in Dublin

I believe that living alone is the wish of a lot of people, including me. The reasons could be many: college, work, marriage, independence, exchange program.

Personally speaking, I’ve always known that when time came for “the big moment” some difficulties would surface but I had no idea how much I’d learn from this.

One month after I moved I decided to make this list highlighting everything I had learn during that period.

• The food doesn’t get ready by itself?

Cooking – easy task

Back in Brazil I used to make rice, pasta and several types of egg (fried, scrambled, omelet). But every time I arrived home, food was ready. Although my culinary skills haven’t advanced that much yet, I realized that eggs get boring and living off pasta and dry rice is not good. So I figured a way to improve a little.

 

• Healthy food is cheaper:

In Brazil, my eating habits weren’t exemplar at all. Even though I had everything set for a proper meal at home, I used to avoid everything actually healthy. In Dublin I had to learn how to eat well and without expending too much. That made me take a better and kinder look at frozen vegetables which cost less than a Euro, for example.

 

• Everything is up to you:

In the first weeks I was still not used to getting home and having to fix my own food. Or leaving school and having to stop by the grocery shop or really doing any of my mother’s tasks back in Brazil. Nowadays , I do everything I’m supposed to do without even realizing it’s part of my routine.

 

• Laundry doesn’t do itself:

Although I have always helped my mom with house chores, I had never turned on a washing machine before in my life (I’d only turned it off). So when I noticed it was part of my day to use the washing machine, I made dozens of plans about what to wash first and what kind of laundry was less urgent. I found out that putting the detergent in the designated place, turn a butt and push “start” is not that hard. Possibly because I’m lucky, I haven’t ruined any piece of clothing… yet.

 

• Dust multiplies in seconds:

Like I said, I’ve always helped my mom with house chores, so when I first moved I thought it would be the same thing. Big mistake: I felt completely lost with the products and found out that I am nothing without a broom and those mops only work to finish the job. But the second time was easier. Except that ten seconds after I was finished, dust started to settle again around the house.

 

• Grocery shopping isn’t all about food:

I found out that there is more to the weekly and/or monthly needs than just chocolate. At my parents’ house there was always olive oil, salt and garlic. And toilet paper, soap and toothpaste were always in the drawers. Here, if you’re not careful, you’re in trouble.

 

• Staying in is a great idea:

Although I met several new places and went out almost every weekend, a lot of time staying in is the best option. Even if that means watching a moving, laying in bed under a blanket and a laptop next to you.

 

• Your own mess annoys you:

Even if you’re not an example of organization in a lot of moments you’ll look at your corner of the house and say to yourself: OK, I have to clean this up.

 

• Saving money is a must:

You don’t need to give up everything but you can’t want everything either. You learn to separate a luxury need to a real one, establishing priorities. Those three basic rules (Can you afford it? Do you need to buy it? Does it have to be now?) will be part of your every day routine even when the cost is low. Why? Because when you have to pay your rent you’ll remember this.

 

• A place to call your own:

Even if things seem complicated in the beginning, it’s all a matter of adaptation and you’ll see that moving out of your parents’ house was one of the most important decisions in your life. You’ll make yourself independent and will find out how good it is to have a place to call your own. Instead of a place to live, you’ll have a home.

 

Conclusion:

Living by yourself will make every day a new learning opportunity not only about practical matters but especially about personal growth. You’ll change your point of view on life and everything changes. It’s like seeing and living how the other half lives.