The first time living alone can be a daunting experience, especially for men. There are many things to consider as a single man living alone and it is understandable that you will have some concerns about this transition. In this blog post, we will cover 10 important tips that should help make your first time living solo a little easier!
Moving into a place of your own for the first time can be overwhelming. While you finally get that freedom you didn’t enjoy while living with your parents or even roommates at college, you also aren’t entirely sure whether you can handle living alone. It’s a significant step for sure, so knowing how you can deal with common problems, such as money worries, repairs, and staying healthy will go a long way towards keeping you sane and protecting you in your new home.
Outline a Budget
A budget is crucial no matter who you are or where you live. But when it comes to living alone, it’s arguably more vital. This budget will protect you from sudden disasters, such as leaks, or . You don’t want to use your credit card for these problems, so having a budget plus a rainy day fund will ease the pressure and make it easier to overcome common problems. As you won't have anyone to borrow money from and chip into paying the bills, you must make sure you are strict with your finances.
Make An Emergency Plan And List Of People To Call For Help
Having a plan in place is very important. Make sure that this plan includes the location of your fuse box, water valves and other things that might be helpful to know if something goes wrong in your home. In addition, having an emergency number list will ensure you have someone who can come help fix the problem immediately.
Some important emergency numbers to have easy to access would include:
- Locksmith
- Plumber
- 24 Hour AC Repair
- Police
- Doctor
- Apartment / Condo Manager (if you are in an apartment or condo)
Don't Be Afraid To Ask For Help From Friends And Don’t Be Ashamed If You Need Social Welfare Programs
While you are an independent adult living alone for the first time, it is okay if you have some help from friends and family members or even government assistance like food stamps. While single men who are living alone are not the primary focus on social welfare programs, depending on your economic situation, you may qualify for benefits. It's much better than facing these issues alone!
Take advantage of any programs that might be helpful to alleviate financial stress while meeting people who can help with other problems. These resources are there so don't feel bad about using them when they will truly benefit you in tough times. Living solo doesn’t need to mean going at it
Learn Some DIY Skills
Everyone should have a basic idea of how to fix common household problems, although there are always some projects you shouldn’t attempt no matter who you are. That said, fixing squeaky doors or loose toilet seats will save you some money, especially as they are so easy to do. The more confident you get, the more you’ll be able to do, which can prove useful later on in life, especially if you want to pass on this knowledge to your kids.
Get To Know The Neighbors
Another great way to get some support when living alone is by getting to know your neighbors. They are going through similar experiences as you! Ask them for advice about any issues they may have faced or just keep contact so they feel like family rather than strangers on the street. Having people around also helps with security because there’s less chance of a criminal being able to rob your home.
Practice Basic Recipes
The kitchen can be an overwhelming place if you’ve never cooked before. Many guys living alone for the first time will rely on take-out or the most basic, MSG-filled ramen packages. There’s nothing wrong with this in moderation, especially if you’re too exhausted to cook a full meal. Still, knowing some basic but filling recipes will help you eat healthily and stay energized. You can cook a single meal or cook in bulk so you always have something in the freezer for lunch and dinner. Like DIY, you’ll soon start attempting more ambitious recipes once your confidence increase and your palate gets more sophisticated.,
Develop a Routine
Bad habits form easier when you're living alone because there’s no one to hold you accountable. It can be difficult to get out of this hole of lethargy where you lack productivity, so disciplining yourself and embracing beneficial habits can keep you from getting bored while you’re living alone. It’s tempting to play on your Xbox all day or watch endless TV, but this isn’t going to benefit you. Make a habit to get up early and start your day right; don’t forget to exercise; give your mother a call to let her know you’re doing fine.
Don't Forget About Cleaning Your Space!
Just because you are living alone doesn't mean you can let your home get messy. If anything, you should be more motivated than ever to keep your space clean and tidy. You will feel better about yourself knowing that it looks nice! Plus, a messy home is an invitation for dirt and bugs to enter your living area.
Maintain Contact With Family And Friends On A Regular Basis
It can be easy to get lonely when you are living alone, especially if you have just moved away from friends and family. There is no need to feel isolated! Stay in touch with your loved ones on a regular basis so they know that you care about them too. You may also want to consider meeting up with some of them occasionally for dinner or drinks so it feels like going out without the pressure of having people around all night long.
Maintaining contact is more important than simply helping you maintain good social skills, this also will help people make sure they don't need to worry about you. If you were to suddenly stop being seen or stop calling then something could be wrong and they can come check on you.
Find A Hobby
Being alone at night can be boring. Having something else to focus on besides work or chores will help keep boredom at bay while living solo and will add more purpose into your single man life overall! Whether this means getting involved in a club, taking private lessons, watching TV shows together (Netflix!) or playing video games, find something you enjoy and go after it.
The loneliness is not just about being alone but also the fact that there are no people around to keep your company when you're out of work or school for a bit. There's nothing wrong with finding an activity where you can make some friends who will help fill up this time in your life rather than feeling like you need to take care of yourself all day long!
Don't Forget About The Importance of Self Care!
Taking care of yourself is essential to maintaining a positive spirit and good health. This is more than just making sure you eat right and should include a conscious effort to focus on what's important to you. For some guys this means spending time at a spa, while for others, taking a walk through the park and sitting on a bench watching ducks play in the pond is the right solution.
Enjoy Your Independence!
There’s no point in having this independence if you never really get to enjoy it because you’re running to others for help every day. If you take the time to learn how your property works and how to look after yourself, you’ll have no problems living your life the way you want.
