Independence

Living independently, and by that I mean, living on your own, by your lonesome, has been an issue of the past for me.

And one of its birth pains was getting that silent atmosphere right before sleeping. No kid brothers running around, no scolding from parents, no small buzz sound from the television in the other room. Coming from a big family, you know our house cannot be that peaceful home. Happy but noisy.

It really takes some getting used to. And I'm used to it.

Its been a week since my good friend, Jose, went for the same lifestyle. Almost every late night, he would text me how lonely and sad living alone is.

He even came from a bigger family than ours, AND with more younger kids. I can just imagine how crazy their house is. Anyway, as I've told him, it just takes some getting used to. Its a new environment. Its a new lifestyle. Leaving a place you've been all your life is not a small thing. And I firmly believe that your house made you what you are now. It formed your whole being, personality and ways. No matter what, it is close to your heart (yuck).

The trick is to appreciate the many things you can do with this set-up. This may take time. You can dance weird, you can get out of the shower without having to wear bathrobes, you can sing your heart out, you can go home late anytime you want without people asking where you've been or without bothering someone to open the door for you and lastly, you don't have competition for TV viewing.

I rarely go home now. Not good, but whenever I do, I spend a short time of it yearning for privacy, for my own space, my own TV, etc. I cannot, for the life of me now, imagine myself going back to living with my parents and family, no matter how much I love and miss them.

I told my friend to just take it easy and pretty soon, he can turn this to a one exciting ride. I told him to shop for more house stuff, if his finances allow, so that he gets excited.

For sure, eventually, he'll get used to this also.

Feeling expert ata ako dito.