Hey guys! So I had a conversation the other day with a coworker that really got me thinking. But first, here's a tidbit of background info for you: Currently I work at a grocery store in a smoothie/juice bar. My coworker works in the produce department. She's also in her mid fifties, while I'm nineteen. Maybe that could have gone without saying, but whatever. I don't want to confuse anyone. Alright, I think that's all you need to know, so here we go. Julie, my coworker, came up to me and told me she had recently talked to my mom. Now me, being the over-thinker I am, immediately thought, "oh God, what did I do to embarrass myself this time?" But all she really said was "I didn't know you had other siblings," and "I think it's awesome that you still live at home! My youngest is a couple years older than you and he moved out the day he turned nineteen. It was really hard." I realize that this wasn't really much of s conversation, but what she said really made me think. The day I turned nineteen I was nowhere NEAR ready to move out. I'll be twenty in a few months and I STILL don't feel ready! I'm sure I want to move out within the next year or so, but when it comes to big decisions like that, I like to stay in the present moment. Not to plan so far in advance that it doesn't even seem real anymore. Anyway, now I'm going to get into what this post is actually supposed to be about: why it's okay to live with your parents after high school. 1. YOU MIGHT NOT BE READY TO BE ON YOUR OWN Whether that's financially or emotionally. If your parents are supportive of it, I 100% suggest staying at home until YOU are ready. Just make sure that you're not staying home out of laziness though. 2. YOU MIGHT NOT BE SURE WHICH DIRECTION YOU WANT YOUR LIFE TO GO IN If you aren't sure whether or not you want to go to college, are stuck trying to find the right school, or are trying to start your own business to save enough money to skip college altogether, by all means stay at home! This is actually what I'm doing right now. When it comes to college, I feel kind of lost. I have a few ideas, but my family's not exactly in a position where I can afford to switch schools or majors as many times as I want. So for the time being, I'm just working and exploring the different options I have as far as schooling and careers go. 3. YOU'LL SAVE A TON OF MONEY I know I sort of mentioned this in the first point, but I cannot say it enough! I have friends who moved out right after high school, and three of them moved back home after a year. Paying for rent, wifi, utilities, cable, food, and so many other things, really adds up when you're young and don't have a super high-paying job. I pay for my own "fun money" items like clothes, bedroom decorations, and makeup, as well as much of my food. My parents pay for most everything else as long as I'm working, helping around the house, and babysitting as needed. Honestly, it's a pretty fair trade, and I'm very very thankful to my parents for helping me out. What are your thoughts on living at home after high school, or even college? Please tell me in a comment! Thanks so much for reading! Sarah
