The Perks of Independence

“How lucky of me to have gotten so far,
I did not have to wish upon a star.

How grateful I am for everything,
For how fortunate my life has been.”

Ok terrible free form. No wonder literature wasn’t one of my subjects in high school. 

What I did have back then was the desire to move out of my parents’ place and soak up the independence I wanted so badly. In reality it wasn’t as easy as wishing it and it didn’t turn out that way. Throughout university when I wasn’t in class, I was working wherever I could find work. Casual, part time, Christmas contracts, I accepted them all. I didn’t know any better when I started working towards the end of high school. I figured, whatever… If I have a job then I would have money coming in. That would mean I was closer to gaining independence from my parents’ shelter. I doggedly worked my way from fast food and cafes, to a posh retail boutique along fancy Collins Street in the city and department stores. 

When it came to looking for a place, I found out renting was expensive for one person. Then somehow in between searching and evaluating, I got sidetracked and it was temporarily forgotten in pursuing travels. 

It actually wasn’t until the end of university after work placement that I actually moved out. Not entirely by choice. Well, sort of. It just so happened I was successful in being offered the first permanent role I applied for. Two weeks later, I was in a share house in a new town with a new job. Apprehensive at first as I wasn’t sure how the dynamic was going to be and I was a total stranger to the locale. 

Fast forward to today, I have liberated myself from share housing. After bouncing through houses and numerous house mates, I had my Andy Dufresne moment. No sewer crawling even necessary.  

My own place. The whole place to myself. Mine. 

It’s still surreal whenever I think about it but I made it. I guess I’ve at least made it further than my mum’s brother who is still living at home. Having settled in for some time now, I’ve reflected on how truly blessed I am. I’m particularly most grateful for these 5 things:

1. Paying Council rates

Something I actually didn’t pay attention to before moving in. Electric, gas, water and internet sure. But a non negotiable parting of income every quarter (which reminds me the next one is almost due) is something that didn’t cross my mind and now I just have to endure it. 

2. Paying for both usage and the service charges

Having gotten used to just paying my measly share of water usage over the years, I hadn’t factored in services charges which is insanely high where I am. In fact, it costs over 5 times compared to the amount that I use. Lovely. 

3. To borne all costs

Good bye shared cost of living. While it’s certainly easier now without having to cater for another dietary requirement, also gone are the days where it would be relatively cheap to halve the food budget and share the meals. 

4. All the upkeep

Dirty kitchen? Gross bathroom? Unkept yard? Yes, it happens and yes it’s all on me. I haven’t gotten my neighbours on board to mow my lawns yet but there are times where I get to lie in my own filth. Someone else helping out with chores or at least a rotating roster to make sure the place is kept presentable is now a distant memory. I just don’t have the zeal unlike a certain co-worker I know to clean every weekend. How is that not exhausting already? 

5. Non essential purchasing

Buying things to fill a void left by my ex housemates is a real thing. It became an expensive proposition to purchase non essential items like a TV, an armchair, even a spare bed and other decor pieces to ‘fill’ my place for it to not look half arsed burgled. I can’t say the same for my savings though…

6. Perpetual quietness 

I have to say I’m torn about this one. On one hand I’m glad to have my own space but the high cost of entry required me to relinquish the pizza and movie nights, trivia Fridays, Christmas light hunting, the makeshift shisha lounge and general impromptu social interactions.

While it’s certainly freeing to only be responsible for myself, I really didn’t account for these things when I became unencumbered by housemates and stepped out on my own. I do find myself missing the camaraderie sometimes. But the real eye opener for me was realising moving out is just one part of how much work goes into maintaining the much coveted independence. 

If you have moved out or are thinking of moving, what were some of the things you didn’t consider at all or found surprising? Let me know your experience.