Skip to content
  • Blog
    • Self Care
    • Design & Style
    • Music, Books & More
    • DIY
  • DIY
  • Self Care
  • About
  • Merch Shop
  • Contact
  • Blog
    • Self Care
    • Design & Style
    • Music, Books & More
    • DIY
  • DIY
  • Self Care
  • Disco Therapy Logo. Pink, orange, and yellow disco sun with sparkles
  • About
  • Merch Shop
  • Contact
Lifestyle

3 Things I learned from living alone

August 1, 2019November 15, 2022 Post a comment
3 Things I learned from living alone

Three things I learned from living alone

It’s no secret that I’m an introvert. At first glance, living alone would seem like a dream to someone like me! But, living alone in a creaky old six-bedroom house?? Not so much. I have quite the active imagination and have seen one too many episodes of Criminal Minds, so it took some getting used to to not picture my death following every squeak. Eventually I settled in and even began to enjoy it. And it taught me a LOT about myself over the 12 week stint.

Lesson 1:

Not all alone time is created equal.

iced soy latte from hopscotch coffee with marble computer cover

I was worried I was going to be lonely since none of my friends were in town the majority of the summer, but the forced alone time really allowed me to crave human interaction in a healthy way. Is this was being an extrovert is like?? All the subtleties of social anxiety seemed to slip away longer I lived alone.

It might be incredibly obvious from the outside looking in, but spending so much time by myself gave me the energy to really thrive when I was around people. I have so much trouble getting work done at home (my desk is more of a storage unit than a work space) so, I like to go to coffee shops for my productive time.

polaroid of my first night living alone

I usually would feel uncomfortable with the awkward exchange that comes with sitting next to strangers at the community table at Hopscotch Coffee or would have picked up the closest carton of strawberries at the farmers market just to avoid the small talk that takes place while examining my potential fruit pick.

When those activities became intentional social activities, the awkwardness faded away and the small talk morphed into friendly chats. I wouldn’t say I’ve made it to ~chill girl~ status in just one summer, but I’m well on my way.

LESSON 2:

House elves are not real.

Bright and airy white walled room pre move in

Talk about a total bummer. You actually have to clean your own dishes and roll the garbage cans down and up every week?! Obviously, being the well-adjusted and only a leetle bit spoiled girl I am, I knew that the household chores would be all on me this summer, but I didn’t totally grasp what the concept until I experienced it first hand. I’m guessing I’m not alone in that.

Since it was only me in the house for the first half of the summer, I was responsible for all things relating to actually making the house livable. I’m not one of those people who never touched a sponge or had to be taught by a floormate how to do laundry my freshman year, but I have been pretty darn lucky when it comes to chores.

The mess from moving out of my bright and airy white walled room

It’s a different kettle of fish at home; I have other people to share the duties of emptying the dishwasher or taking out the trash, etc. When you’re alone, there is no one else to blame for the moldy cheese in the back of the fridge. As if I would ever neglect cheese for that long.

Living alone didn’t teach me how to clean a house, but rather forced the discipline to clean one upon me…

pink and white peonies

LESSON 3:

Don’t microwave instant oatmeal in a mug for over a minute. Seriously, just don’t.

honey soaked almond baklava
homemade strawberry brioche french toast

I love to cook and bake, but before this summer, most of my culinary skills were put to use for larger groups. I used cooking and *meal prepping* as a creative outlet since a girl’s gotta eat anyway!

I learned how much fruit I eat in a week and I finally can relate to the epidemic of having that unopened plastic container of “mixed greens” haunting me from the middle shelf for weeks.

homemade cheeseburger quiche
low country boil with corn cobs, shrimp, new potatoes, andouille sausage, and onion
eggplant pizza with heirloom tomato, basil, and Parmesan

One night a couple weeks in, I was on the phone with my mom and she asked me what I was up to. “Oh I just whipped up a quick béchamel sauce for my leftover pasta.” A quick béchamel. A quick béchamel. As opposed to all the other béchamels I’ve (never) made?? Since no one was relying on me for the food to be edible or to be ready on time, I had room to experiment in the kitchen. I would crave a dish from a restaurant and then run over to the grocery store for the ingredients and make it instead.

I’m not saying that living alone turned me into Ina Garten, but I’m not not saying it either…take a look at the pictures of my meals below and you tell me.

sizzling homemade lamb meatballs
homemade cucumber tzatziki

Honorable Mentions

  • I don’t like protein and won’t eat it- or cook with it- if no one reminds me to.
  • I like being barefoot
  • I like talking on the phone more than texting and I was more intentional about checking in on friends I haven’t seen in a long time
  • Singing in the shower instead of listening for an axe murderer is the true sign of comfort in a new home.
  • I should accept help the next time someone offers to roll my garbage cans up the hill for me. It’s not worth the pride. 
Three things I learned from living alone
What I learned living alone
About Helen

About Helen

I am an introverted social butterfly who can talk your ear off, and then go recharge in my lair for a 48-hour-marathon of books and movies and chai tea. I’m an old soul who should’ve been alive in the 70’s or the roaring 20’s; I firmly believe too much is never enough when it comes to art deco and flare pants.

Related Posts

Gifts to give based on Love Languages
Gifts to give based on Love Languages
How to be friends with an introvert as an extrovert (and vice versa)
How to be friends with an introvert as an extrovert (and vice versa)
3 Remedies for Zoom Fatigue & Burnout
3 Remedies for Zoom Fatigue & Burnout
No Makeup Makeup days
No Makeup Makeup days

Post navigation

The Two Playlists You Need This Weekend
The one book you need to read before summer’s over

0 comments

  1. northshoreprep says:
    August 1, 2019 at 7:39 pm

    New reader here and a big fan. Love you hel!

    Reply
    1. The Girl In Green Glasses says:
      August 2, 2019 at 5:37 pm

      Thank you!! Glad to have you here!

      Reply
  2. Pingback: WELCOME TO MY CRIB – The Girl in Green Glasses

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hey hey!

Hey hey!

Helen Krizman, Owner

I am an introverted social butterfly who can talk your ear off, and then go recharge in under piles of blankets for a 48-hour-marathon of books and movies and chai tea. I’m an old soul who should’ve been alive in the 70’s or the roaring 20’s; I firmly believe too much is never enough when it comes to art deco and flare pants.

What is disco therapy?

Here you’ll find self-care ideas in the form of beauty & health tips, book recommendations, DIYs, and destressing activities. Self-care is inherently personal and not everything works for everyone. I want this to be place you feel free to be yourself here at Disco Therapy.

About
What is disco therapy?
[mailerlite_form form_id=2]

Categories

  • Book recs
  • Design & Style
  • DIY
  • Fall
  • Lifestyle
  • media
  • Music Recs
  • Pages
  • Self Care
  • Uncategorized
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Etsy Shop
Copyright © 2023 | All Rights Reserved | Designed by Little Theme Shop