For those of you who decided to move from roommate living to solo living, the transition can be a difficult adjustment—especially if this is your first experience of this type of living situation. This can be the case even for those who couldn't wait to get rid of their roommates.
If your self feeling lonely, follow these tips to revive yourself.
Cultivate a collection of music that uplifts you.
With roommates, outside sounds are constantly filtering through, even when you're in your own room. There's the muffled sound of the television, the phone ringing, conversations flowing and music playing. Many of us take this for granted, but you may be surprised to find yourself missing this when all that is suddenly gone and replaced with...silence. To alleviate the weirdness, play your favorite albums—and get new ones when they start to get old. Or listen to the radio of have the television playing in the background.
Get a pet, such as a cat or dog.
Pets make great companions for those who live alone. Yes, there is a reason that the "Cat Lady" stereotype developed. Rather than see her as pathetic, think of her as brilliant and smart for realizing that our friends in nature provide emotional support. Not only do they provide affection and playfulness, but they force you to maintain the habit of addressing the needs of another living thing—something that could be easily forgetten when you have only you to think about.
Establish a regular night when friends come over.
Host a gathering of friends at your apartment every week. It could be for any reason: poker night, watching the latest episode of Heroes, enjoying a potluck dinner together. A weekly event will infuse your apartment with the memories of the gatherings and give you something to look forward to.
Decorate your walls with photographs of your friends and family.
Photographs are great reminders of the wonderful times you've shared with your loved ones. These images will make your apartment feel like home and rekindle fond memories. And you get the best of both worlds: the spirit of your friends without having to endure them hogging the remote or taking 30-minute showers.
Stay in touch with friends via telephone or the Internet.
Cell phones. MySpace. Facebook. All of these are great mediums through which to communicate with your friends, whether it's a short conversation or dropping comments on their pages. They're a great way to connect with someone when you're unable to meet up with them.
Remind yourself of the perks of living alone.
Yes, there were many reasons that prompted you to live on your own. Whenever you start to doubt this decision, remind yourself of these reasons. Here are a few to help get you started: you can be as clean or as messy as your want; you make all the rules; and you can take 30-minute showers without having to feel guilty.
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