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Oh look, it's another 20 something year old woman telling us things we've known for years, what's new?
I'll tell you what's new — my appreciation for all the women who've lived alone before me. I've been privileged enough to have lived in my cosy apartment by myself for four years now and I've learnt some lessons along the way. Lessons that I very much would've appreciated knowing before I set out on this new venture, but as they say, you live and you learn... and learnt I have.
So, as my act of kindness, I thought I'd share nine things you should know before you decide to live alone.
1. Make friends with your neighbours.
For my first year of living alone, I kept to myself. I live in the city and there are a few Airbnbs in my building, so I didn't really know who my neighbours really were. After one too many missed deliveries and accidental smoke alarm triggers, I decided to introduce myself to some of the people in my building and let them know that I'm just a silly girl living alone (and not the annoying brat that I'm sure I came across as).
Now, my neighbours and I have become friends. We give each other chocolates at Christmas, we accept each other's deliveries if we're working from home and we even take part in gossip sessions over the noisy Airbnb tenants. It's brilliant.
Knowing who your neighbours are extends your home into a community and you feel so much better knowing who's around to help if you ever need it.
Watch: Horoscopes & self-care. Post continues below.
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