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Living alone can be liberating!

This is one reader's response to Lili's newsletter about learning to live alone.

I lived on my own briefly after finishing my studies, but back then I was a struggling first-job young adult and was basically cooking two minute noodles in one of only 2 pots on my hot-plate. The microwave started to become my best friend - mom made all sorts of meals and froze them for me in one-portion bowls, bless her.

Though, things are a bit different now.

I've been living on my own again now for the last 8 months and to my surprise, the adjustment wasn't that detrimental.

Granted I stayed where I was, minus the other inhabitant formerly known as my husband.

I kept most of the furniture (which I painfully paid off myself over a few years) and the things I had to replace like a TV, wall unit, vacuum cleaner, etc. was luckily covered by my bonus cheque from December (timing was on my side for once).

I kept the dogs as well - and they provided great company and comfort as always.

Here are some of the things I learnt:


- It is actually liberating to have a whole queen size bed to yourself at night and not as lonely as I thought

- I also switch off the geyser when I'm not there to save on electricity. What saved me even more though, was when I replaced my fan heater with a gas heater - huge difference!

- The amount of frozen foods I used to buy, can last me about three months now and I also don't need cleaning supplies every single month (I still stick to my monthly grocery shopping).

- Steak and T-bones are a luxury and I'm actually quite happy with just buying mince!

- The whole world won't come to a complete stand-still if I occasionally leave my bed unmade in the mornings - I used to HATE leaving it like that.

- I still don't like doing dishes by hand but when it's for one person, it's ok.

- I am social and party twice the amount that I did before, which has led to my tv-watching time becoming minimal and cancelling my DSTV.  I do miss the rugby matches on weekends though.

- The toilet spray only has to be replaced about every 4 months now - unbelievable! :)

- And finally, I love having all the extra cupboard space for my clothes! The single most important thing that I've learned is that I'm an independent woman who doesn't have to rely on a man to do things for me.

- I've surprised myself with everything I'm capable of and feel quite proud of what I've been able to achieve over these last few months, and with the sense of accomplishment that comes with fixing and doing things that I used to ask to be done before.

- I'm doing quite well, have amazing, supportive friends and started to appreciate some of the things I used to take for granted. If I ever do live with someone again in future, I'll have to adapt all over again!

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