So you’re planning on moving out of your parents’ place for your very first time and have no idea what to buy for your new pad. Will a toaster suffice for all of your meals cooked at home? What type of cleaner do you buy to clean the bathroom? How about paying bills? And what if my aunt Patsy tries to take over decorating?
If you find yourself feeling confused, excited, and maybe a little helpless, I got you. As someone who has temporarily lived in a different country, then long term moved across the US, while also being someone who didn’t know what the fuck she was doing… I now know a few *practical* things that will help make your life a whole lot easier (so you have more time and mental space for, ya know, living life!)
(Side note: if you are looking for a detailed list from a home decor guru or feng shui master, let me let you down right now, that ain’t this list! This list is going to give you a few practical things that I guarantee you will utilize in your space – or one of your roommates will – and honestly will make your transition into your new space with more ease.)
- A fucking air fryer – I wish I took this appliance more seriously when I first moved. I tried to jump the gun and be all Betty Crocker, when truthfully, I knew little to nothing on how to *actually* cook. It was exhausting and I found myself always always was guessing *well, the chicken kinda looks done to me?.* Don’t get me wrong, it was (and is!!) fun to put yourself out there and try new things in the kitchen, but if there is one thing I would recommend getting to lighten the load on what your new reality is going to be – cooking raw meat *ew* compared to eating it already made by your caregivers – take this one serious. It will save your time and energy during your transition on living alone. ( Click here for a list of the Best Air Fryers of 2021 found on consumerreports.com, written by Tanya A. Christian )
- Scrub Daddy Sponges – Guess who gets to clean your space now and is responsible to do so? You, my friend! And chances are, if it is your fist time living on your own, perhaps it will be in an older building (or if that’s not the case, get after it!) And by older building I mean… dun, dun, dun… older tiles. And let me tell you, they are a BITCH to clean. When my boyfriend introduces me to these sponges, it was because he saw them on an episode of Sharktank. So, I figured, why not try them out. Let me tell you, cleaning with these in a bathroom with tile that also collects mold easily, is a freaking god-send. (Pro tip: get some foaming bleach spray, Clorox works great. I’ve been searching for a more eco-friendly alternative spray that works the same and have not been able to find one yet, but when I do, I will definitely update this!) Click here to shop on Scrub Daddy’s website
- A Basic Bitch TOOL BOX – I did not stutter!!! I promise that even if being a handy man/woman is not your thing, the chances are, you will at some point need a screw driver or tape measurer. And that’s where your basic bitch tool box will come in. I remember moving into my first apartment with two roommates, none of us thought of this, but rather my roommate’s dad made us get one and I can’t even begin to tell you how helpful it has been. If you don’t care too much, just get the bare minimum that you need (hammer, nails, screw driver, tape measurer, duct tape, etc) start there and add to it when needed.
- AutoPay Bills – listen, if you are financially able to set up AutoPay on (at least most) of your bills, that will take away some of that mental space worrying about it. At this point, many internet, phone, and other bills allow you to do so without hurting your contracts. (Important note: do your own research on your providers before you set it up! Each provider may be different.) (Important note #2: do not pay bills late! If you are someone who is forgetful/procrastinates, write down exactly when things are due on which date and post them on your fridge. And to even follow up with that – set reminders on your phone.)
- Decorate Your Place that Reflects YOU – okay now to something a bit more fun (IMHO!) I cannot stress this enough. Your new home is going to be your new sanctuary, and if it doesn’t reflect you, and instead reflects the idea of someone else… it just won’t feel the same. So my advice here is, play around with some ideas of what YOU want your new place to look like. If you like the boho look/style, don’t set up strictly modern decor just because your aunt Patsy said so. DO accept opinions and suggestions from others while staying true to what you want for your home. After all – you’re the one who gets to live there!
I could go on and on with this list.. but the truth is, when it comes to making big decisions like moving out of your parents place (or anywhere for that matter) sometimes, no matter how much you prepare, you will still have learning curves thrown at you no matter what. And that’s just life! If you find yourself in this spot, know that you are absolutely going to do amazing and that you are not alone. And if you have found some of your own *practical* tips to add to this list, leave them in the comments!
Xo,
Jen
Now And Then With Jen 