Living on your own might be something that you dream of achieving someday, but at the same time, the thought can be scary. According to unicef Life skills are psychosocial techniques for adaptive and positive behavior that empower individuals to deal adequately with the interests and challenges of everyday life. You might even think you can't live on your own. First, you need an income, and then you need the survival skills and street smarts to take care of yourself without anyone there to support you. This guide will help prepare you for that transition so that you can live independently someday. It is not meant to be comprehensive but rather to offer you a few suggestions to help you along the way.
Step 1: Create a support network
We need people to be there for us, honest with us and tell us how we can improve ourselves. This network will preferably extend beyond family members and include at least one close friend you trust. Ultimately, when you are living on your own, you might encounter many obstacles you never thought of, especially obstacles of a social nature, and you will want someone there to support you and help you navigate a life of independence.
Step 2: Master your weaknesses:
Try to be aware of your shortcomings. Have your close friends tell you what they feel are your most significant weaknesses. It is also good to know your strengths, but it is your weaknesses that you need to work on. For instance, you could focus on playing video games for hours, days at a time. While it is okay to play video games, playing them for days at a time when trying to live on your own can lead to you losing your job and also your house. So, you must recognize your weaknesses and do your best to work with them.
Step 3: Learn to cook:
Have someone teach you how to cook. If you have no desire to ever roast, invest in a microwave. However, it is probably healthier to try and eat some homemade meals rather than those that have been processed and heated in the microwave.
Step 4: Learn to balance your money:
Have someone work with you to set a budget and learn to stabilize your finances. Set money aside for emergencies, and pay your rent and bills promptly.
Step 5: Learn to balance your schedule:
It is essential to learn how to do multiple things in a day. You need to be flexible and willing to schedule a time for activities, work, and social engagements.
Step 6: Get involved in the community:
Maybe you don’t like going out and meeting people, or perhaps you were bullied in school. But it is still important to try to reach people and go outside your comfort zone.
Step 7: Master some form of transportation
Either learn to drive or figure out how to use the public transportation system. If you are living on your own, you will need to be able to get around town efficiently.
Step 8: Learn to be assertive
When you are alone, your parents can no longer stand up for you. Being assertive doesn’t mean fighting back or having the attitude, but it does mean standing up for yourself and not allowing people to walk all over you.
Step 9: Live a healthy lifestyle
Exercise and eat healthily. Maintain your hygiene, or you might lose your job.
Step 10: Follow your dreams and make them come true
Look through the newspapers and online and find that apartment or house you desire to live in. Decide that you are going to move out and make it happen. And, if your parents try to talk you out of it, don’t listen to them; they just worry about all. Ultimately, living on your own is something you must make happen for yourself. So, decide what you want without letting anything deter you from your goal.
