Autonomous Living: A Single Girl’s Guide to Living on Her Own

In June I will be coming up on my one year mark of living on my own.  One thing about Dallas is that the cost of living is extremely effective when you’re making next to nothing on a 50 hour work week – and for many sometimes longer. Although my trips to Neiman Marcus are now few and far between compared to my parent funded college days, my good friend reminded me today how lucky I was to be able to live on my own and call my own shots in my gorgeous apartment.

I am one lucky bitch.  Living in Dallas has afforded me a lifestyle that guaranteed any other city would laugh at on my salary.  But there are perks to living autonomously, without a roommate, in any city and you can bet I embrace every last one.  So for all of you ladies with a similar goal, here are the top ten things to look forward to when you make it and break it all on your own:

1. Shower singing.  I prefer anything Whitney Houston and there is the occasional showing of some Wilson Phillip’s that makes it into my shower set rocking out to my speakers while holding some heat defense Dove Shampoo.
2. Being completely content with a Friday night in.  Honestly after a long week, sometimes all that is worth saving up for is a date with your DVR or on demand schedule; the lighting the way you want it and your favorite oversized t-shirt with some cookies on your couch.  This was me last week and it was simply marvelous!
3. Walking around naked.  I know this is every school boy fantasy but let’s be honest with ourselves ladies – when no one is around and the blinds are down, there is nothing like getting things done completely naked right out of the shower.  Really now.  Let’s be real here…
4. Decorating for you.  It’s easy to convince yourself that the décor you and a roommate select is either budget savvy or mutually agreed upon that you have the same taste.  Who would have guessed that you have the EXACT same taste. Though you may be lying to yourself and a roommate seeing as how she knows where you sleep, there is nothing like adding a little of your own personal flare that truly makes a space all about you and not restricting your personal style to a bedroom and a closet.
5. The security.  Knowing a phantom hook-up, boogey man or late night opening of your front door won’t occur unless it’s you doing the opening.  This is something I covet as a single gal.  I did the promiscuous roommate thing and not going to lie it’s fun to hear footsteps to bust her later for a late night encounter.  But all in all I like knowing that sometimes when I go to bed it’s just me myself and my bear (ummm… no judgments please).
6. You’re night out on the town routine.  Living alone requires no competition for bathroom mirrors, hair dryer power and certainly playing DJ when maybe ABBA’s Dancing Queen is all that is going to get you in the mood to go out.  It amazes me how playing DJ on a Friday after a long week at work can be a total determinant of a bar night versus dance night and you bet that living alone, you’re in full control.
7. Experimenting in the kitchen.  One thing I am learning to do is to cook.  After investing in several cookbooks, I have been so eager to try cooking even if it is for one.  Let’s just say if curry is in your future you will have no one to blame but yourself when your apartment smells of an NYC Gyro cart.  I pray if you are at all like me you have a fully functioning fan and patio door to air out the Ashram-atic aromas if you decide that venturing to the Far East is worth the good eats.
8. Entertaining.  So I confess, one of my many reality TV pleasures garnered a Monday night viewing party where several of those nights were spent on the most amazing IKEA movie viewing couch ever with my closest friends. Hosting events is not only one of my favorite things but surrounding yourself with good food, good wine (crucial) and having friends over on a weekly basis are not something a roommate can always put up with.
9. Boys, Boys, Boys.  One thing about being in your apartment by yourself with your man is anything can happen.  With long “movie” nights and great weekend mornings there is something to be said for having your private time with your “oh so special” someone and being able to call your own shots behind closed doors.
10. Knowing that you made it.  Though my dreams lie with living and working autonomously in NYC, there is a feeling of living and working on your own and supporting yourself that doesn’t hit you for a while.  There is nothing like the thrill of knowing that making or breaking it lies solely with you and that the key to leading a full life is in the struggle of surviving all on your own.

So best of luck finding that autonomous living, though it may not ever be around the corner I hope you are inspired to find the personality in your life choices, living situations and goals even if it means some naked, curry cooking, on a Friday night when you have a date with your DVR’ed version of Desperate Housewives.

Image via She Knows Canada