My situation isn’t anything new or original. It’s not a sob story or a tale of strength and courage. It’s just the reality of moving back to my hometown after four years away at college.
Simple, yes. Seamless, no.
Anyone who has read my blog for one week knows how much I love my family. The stereotype that college students don’t want to live with (or near) their parents couldn’t be more opposite from how I feel. I actually enjoy spending time with them…craziness! However, that doesn’t mean this transition has been without kinks. And by “kinks” I mean me learning to share food and TiVo space.
Truthfully, the hardest part has been NOT comparing myself to societal stereotypes and my peers. I have it in my mind that everyone has pre-conceived notions (of me, of college students, of my “lazy” generation, etc.) so I instinctively try to fight those stereotypes, real or not, right off the bat. Unnecessary and exhausting. I’m doing what’s best for me and enjoying this time. All that matters.
That being said, this new venture (it’s only been two months!) has given me a lot to think about: the good, the bad, the funny and the annoying. I’m using some favorite gifs to elaborate on my feelings, because sometimes Kim Kardashian can express things better than I can. Sometimes…
10 Things That Will Happen When You Move Home After College
1. People will ask you (many times) what you’re doing with your life. When they add the “with your life” part it might make you want smack them. Resist and respond honestly: I have no idea.
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2. You’ll have the freedom to do (almost) whatever you want, as long as you walk the dog, unload the dishwasher, flip the laundry and text your mom first.
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3. Dinner still doesn’t make itself. Although it occasionally appears on the table after you wake up from a nap. Thanks, Dinner Fairy.
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4. You’ll have all the free time to workout, shop and hang out with friends, until you remember that Netflix exists, you don’t have an income and most of your friends aren’t even in town.
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5. You won’t have to worry about the immediate future. But then you start to think longterm (past next week) and reality hits you.
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6. Apparently, the excuse “I’m a growing girl” isn’t valid anymore when it comes to buying endless amounts of food.
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7. You’ll learn that it’s frowned upon to hide the good leftovers in the back of the fridge so no one steals them.
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8. You’ll have to compromise with the television, which means sometimes watching Rocky (for the trillionth time) on a random Monday night “just because it’s on.”
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9. If you didn’t already, you’ll regret all the eye-rolls and angst from your pre-teen and teenage years. Your parents deserve medals.
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10. After one-on-one time with your parents, you’ll learn the important lessons in life: be polite and don’t drink cheap wine.
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This is hilarious and perfect! I loved every second of it! A lot of this even applies with moving in with your sister and brother in law after college except some even weirder situations. Number 7 was definitely my favorite I feel like that ALL the time or when my brother in law eats something I still haven’t photographed it’s like the world is crumbling down!
Margaret @ youngandrungry recently posted…Frosted Paleo Valentines Day Sugar Cookies
I love how you make your situation work though. I can force my sister and I doing that one day. But they must know the rules: no touching food before photos.
I’m in the minority where I lived at home throughout most of college, but I can relate to almost all of that! Inviting friends over is the worst. Being a college graduate and having to ask permission to have friends over to the house… :) Can’t go wrong with free laundry and rent tho!
And having someone do your laundry occasionally is even better ;)
haha this is hilarious! I can only imagine how it will be like when I move home after college lol.
rachel @ athleticavocado recently posted…Paleo Carrot Cake Monkey Bread Muffins
There’s so much good that comes with it though!
Hahaha love it. My experience was different because I stopped living with my parents when I was 18 years old in favor of living in Rhode Island on the boat. But I did live with them for about a month before the boat was ready. Like you, the hard part about moving home (or to the boat) post-grad was the preconceived notions and stereotypes. I remember thinking to myself a few years earlier about a girl I worked with who was still life guarding the summer after she graduated, “why doesn’t she go find a real job?” And then I realized how hard it is to actually do that. I definitely got questions from some people in the two months I was job-searching post grad, but a lot of people told me to enjoy the time before the real world started because it’s the last time you’ll have a life like that until retirement. Scary, but true haha I do like the “real world,” for the record. But it’s weird when my brother has his school vacations for 3 month stretches and I feel guilty for taking 3 days off work.
Now that I’m in this situation I feel awful for any previous judgments I made about other people who didn’t get a “real job” right away. A lot of people have told me to enjoy this time before starting work, too. But that tends to be AFTER I’ve told them I’m taking time off ;)
This was not the case for my brother when he moved home. dinner still made itself, laundry still did itself, and he even tried to charge gas on my parents’ gas card (it just never occurred to him).He didn’t pay for rent or anything, so now he is richer than all of us.
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Getting Intimate: Podcasts and My Colonoscopy Results
HAHA I’m laughing out loud. Please tell me he’s the baby of the family?
I moved home for just a few months after college before starting dental school so I didn’t get the questions of what am I doing with my life, but definitely some of the others. I loved my parents fitting the bill or groceries and getting all of the food that i wanted – ha! I think that would be every food bloggers dream- someone else buying your food! I definitely also always compromise on the t.v. show thing since I tend to not really care for t.v. anyways. Love the GIFs in this post lol!
kerri mcgrail recently posted…WIAW: Oats, Fruit, Soup & Vodka Sodas
Yes it IS every food blogger (or food lover’s) dream to get help with the grocery bills. I’m living out my fantasy! ;)
I lived at home for a bit after college. I went to Europe for a month after I graduated, then started my full time job in August, so I moved out in September. It was nice living there for a bit but I couldn’t do it long term!
That’s great that you had that transition time too! Very helpful.
We moved back in with my parents two summers ago while our house was being built. It wasn’t just me but my husband and our daughter. Thankfully, they love on the beach so it get more like a vacation, but there were moments when I wanted to scream.
I can imagine it’s MUCH harder with a child (and husband!). We live by the water so I might take your lead of calling it a “vacation” ;)
HAHA so this is what to expect when I move back home in August?? I am reeeeally looking forward to being home and drinking my dad’s wine (he knows what’s best) instead of my cheap stuff I have at my apartment. I think the biggest adjustment for me will be student teaching and living at home, while also taking classes too. It’ll be nice to have dinner ready for me, but it will also be hard to stay focused a lot of the time.
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…Q & A with Wellness Morgan
I think it’ll be great for you to have the comfort of home while going through a transition with a new job! Plus the dinners come in handy :)
I actually stayed at home through all of college, so I never really got to experience the whole moving back thing. BUT I can totally relate to feeling out of sorts with societal standards. Just gotta keep in mind that there really are no standards and that we’re all on our own journey in life. Each phase is meant to teach us something, so everything we go through is valuable as long as we mind the lesson. Besides… it’s just for a short time!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…new leggings, heart shaped pizzas, & a book i love (ToL#170)
Completely agree! It’s hard to explain to the generation before me, but I think it’s becoming more common to take “different” paths post-graduation.
I actually moved out immediately after college. I was over my parents thinking I was still 12 and they could tell me what to do. My sister and brother still live at home though so somehow they make it work. It was a good decision for me because I like to be on my own two feet and independent. I’m also stubborn and don’t take crap from people which I find you have to do a lot when it comes to family.
I have learned a lot from my parents about being frugal with money and reusing and recycling things. That is something very important to me in my life now.
Ellie recently posted…Running Rambles #5 [Perspective]
My mom has instilled in me to never waste things, especially food. Reusable grocery bags and bottles too. I didn’t realize how important it has become to me!
Hahaha this is great! I didn’t live at home after college because I really wanted to stay in San Diego but my sister did for a while. The cheap wine is totally relatable though! I swear every time I go home my mom and sister drink like Queens!
If I went to college in San Diego I’d want to stay too! My parents don’t buy bad wine so I feel spoiled in that sense :)
Oh my, I can totally relate. My situation was a bit different, but moving back into my parent’s house was a rough transition. Luckily I knew that the term was short while I waited on my wedding day and move date from Michigan to California.
Jenn – a traveling Wife recently posted…Grandma’s Fresh Strawberry Pie
Glad you can relate! :)
I lived at home while studying for the bar exam after law school and actually it was great because I got to spend time with my dog and my dad and act like a total bar exam brat who needed constant food (bought and cooked by him) and trips to the ice cream store, at a time when that was truly necessary. And then for a few months after between traveling I was there before my job started, and I really loved it. I got to feel for the last time like a little bit of a kid, relax, do cooking experiments in a big lovely kitchen, and sleep in my childhood room before “real life” began, and I think now that that time really allowed me to reflect and figure out what I wanted going forward.
Hey can I still act like that even if I’m not studying for the bar? ;) I’m grateful to have this time to figure things out!
Aaah, this post just summed up my life! I finish my degree in May, and the plan is to move home to save some money and then go traveling! I’m already getting the ‘With Your life’ questions! :P
LisaLDN recently posted…When to visit Boracay
Why do people have to add the “with your life” part?! It’s bad enough as it is!
I lived with my parents for a few months after college so I can completely relate to this. My parents and I are super close so I understand the connection you have with them. Great post.
Hollie recently posted…Blogging about Blogging
I hope to one day live just down the street from them :) Never too far again!
Hehe… It looks like you actually have had a really good experience with moving home. It seems like you now havetime to rest and refresh after college. College seems really intense. I never did a formal college experience, but I respect those who have gone that route! :) That ‘food doesn’t make itself’ is definitely true in our house… I actually love living with my family, because they are some of my best friends. It’s such a blessing.
Emily recently posted…How My Family Helped My Recovery
Haha these are awesome. I didn’t move home after college, I stayed in my college town and moved into an apartment by myself. My friend and I always joke that when we’re back home for long periods of time we revert back to our high school selves.. haha it’s a weird thing.
Amanda @ ExploringLifeAndThings recently posted…My key to surviving the treadmill
It is a weird thing! It’s my old “stomping grounds” but I feel different.
Hehe… It looks like you actually have had a really good experience with moving home. It seems like you now have time to rest and refresh after college. College seems really intense. I never did a formal college experience, but I respect those who have gone that route! :) That ‘food doesn’t make itself’ is definitely true in our house… I actually love living with my family, because they are some of my best friends. It’s such a blessing.
Emily recently posted…How My Family Helped My Recovery
My parents and sister and my best friends too. It is a blessing, even if it’s an adjustment!
Wow, I just realized that I use the word ‘seems’ a great deal.
Emily recently posted…How My Family Helped My Recovery
I couldn’t agree more with all of these (I lived at home for a while too post-college). Especially the constant questions about what you are going to do with your life….AH. Take your time girl. I still don’t know what I’m doing “with my life” but like to think we are all already doing something since we are living haha
That’s my new favorite answer. So true too!!!
SO many people move back home! I think it is becoming more of the norm nowadays. People need a few extra year to get onto their feet. Nothing wrong with it!
A silly lesson my parents taught me: You should always have $2.25 on you in cash. You never know when that could be needed. Oddly enough, one time we unexpectedly had to park somewhere and they only accepted cash. The cost? $2.25. We were all dying of laughter because the lesson had always been a joke. Now, I never leave home without the spare change.
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me recently posted…Yoga 101: Learning the Basics
Completely agree! It’s becoming the norm.
Haha I love that story! Thanks for sharing :)
So accurate! This is exactly how I feel anytime I go back home to visit, and I’m (probably) moving back after graduation as well.
Plus it’s always fun to describe emotions with gifs, right? :)
I am definitely 100% guilty of hiding the good leftovers!
[email protected] is Sweet recently posted…Sleep and Sports Performance
I don’t think that will stop here any time soon!
I lived at home for a few months after graduation and although the worry about ‘what to do’ still lingered, I must admit that I really enjoyed having the time to do a few things I enjoyed (and go out for coffee with my mom every week!).
My parents have taught me a whole load of random lessons but some of the more useful ones include stuffing newspaper into wet trainers before putting them up against a radiator (it dries them out quicker apparently) and always refilling the kettle with cold water for the next person to use after making a hot drink :)
xx
Oh refilling the kettle is such a nice jester! Very thoughtful :) We stuff wet sneakers with newspapers too. Although I can imagine you need to do it more in London!
That was a great blog post! Very funny :) Most entertaining one I’ve seen in a bit!
I’m glad you liked it :)
THIS IS MY LIFE. Technically I never ‘moved out’ but I can totally relate since I live at home while attending school. AKA…cannot wait to move out! LOL But just like you’re doing, I am taking it in and enjoying it while I can! I’ll miss having these luxuries when I am out of the house!
I’m actually not looking forward to moving out one day! No immediate plans, luckily :) The luxuries are keeping me very content.
OMG YES! I’ve moved home like 4 times since graduation and each time it doesn’t get any easier. I think the hardest has been after I’ve been traveling for a while.
I’ve learnt from my mom that no matter where I go, home will always be home. They’ve been so supportive with all of my crazy decisions and have accepted me back into the house every time I come back and need help!
Alexa @ The Mindful Maritimer recently posted…Why I’ll never stop Traveling
I love what you learned from your mom. I moved a lot growing up and my mom would say something similar. It’s a feeling not a place. But it does feel extra nice with family :)
“You’ll have the freedom to do (almost) whatever you want, as long as you walk the dog, unload the dishwasher, flip the laundry and text your mom first.” THIS is my life. Haha!
Jesse and I live with my family whilst we save for our own home (and have done for the last two and a bit years) and so many of these things apply to us too :P
Jesse has been known to hide leftovers at the back of the fridge and then cover them up with other things so no one touches them :P
Kristy @ Southern In Law recently posted…Recent Things: Cleaning Crazies, Inspiration & Comedic Relief
I cover the good food up too! Sometimes you do what you gotta do for the food ;)
These are great! Almost all of these happen to me whenever I go home for a visit!
sarah recently posted…Currently: February
I definitely noticed them when I went home for breaks but they are magnified now!
This sums up EVERYTHING that has been going through my head the past month. I am so stressed about finding a job like yesterday, but the time off to do whatever is so nice! If only people would stop asking what I am doing with my life.
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You are NOT alone :)