For seven years now, I have been living in a flatshare. In the UK or overseas, studying or working full-time, I have shared a flat. So I have had to share my space with other people, follow collective rules and also be social at all time. Which got me thinking off 2011, to my second year at university, to when I was living alone in a studio flat.
I was all on my own. 30 meter square of silence and personal space. Of course, back then I was living in Lyon, and despite being located in the city center, it was still affordable. As opposed to anywhere I have been in the UK. But still, it got me thinking at why living alone was the best!
1. All the things you can do without being judged.
Manners may not be a pre-requisite when moving into a shared flat but there are still some basic rules to follow. Walking around naked? Nope. Listening to shit music loudly? Another no. Being a bit too vocal when having sex. To avoid as well. Because, you know, the flat is a community and you must abide by its rules and respect everyone. Fair enough. When you live on your own, well, you can pretty much do all the things you want without being judged or feeling bad. Dance naked, sing in the shower, play shit music, eat stinky foods, the floor is yours, do whatever you want.
2. You get to decide what to do with the space.
When you share a flat with others, the only space that truly belongs to you, is your bedroom. It can be messy but the mess must stay there. As long as all your dirty undies resting on your bedroom’s floor don’t spread to other floors then it is all good. This applies to dishes, beauty products, food, furniture, etc. Speaking of, you can’t really move furniture around or randomly decide to toss something. But when you are living alone, you totally can! The arrangement of the living room is not Feng Shui? Move it all around. Wanna make an exhibition of all your skincare products? The counter is yours!
3. You decide when to do your chores.
Is there anything more annoying that tidying up your place? Putting your wash away? Washing the dishes? Emptying the bin? And all chores in general? Yeah, I agree. So so annoying. All that time you could use for more productive things! Although doing a bit every day would probably make it super fast. When you live with others, you need to clean after yourself. When you live on your own though, you have no obligation to do anything! And, although I love procrastinating and I hate tidying, I also admit that a clean flat is quite enjoyable.
4. A little solitude never killed nobody.
Don’t get me wrong. I get along very well with my flatmates and enjoy a bit of chatting from time to time. However, after a long day at work, I am also very happy to be left alone. Being sociable is tiring and I enjoy my own company. When you are living alone, you do not need to talk to anyone or feel like you have to. It is just you, in a quiet flat. Alone does not mean loneliness and after a busy day, a little solitude is perfect to relax. And also to teach you how to enjoy your own company, appreciate some quiet time.
5. Other advantages we tend to forget about…
No shitty internet because it’s being shared by everyone and someone decided to stream some movies. Also, no one to steel your food. No one to yell at you for any reason. No over-heated or under-heated flat. But most important of all, no queue to the toilets ever. Or the bathroom.
I mean, your room in a flat share is still you personal space but it still does not fell the same than an entire flat being yours. It is just a shame that most cities in the UK are too expensive for millennials to afford studio flats. Or you need to share with your partner. And find some common ground on basic rules to keep the flat livable without putting much effort into it. Or just find someone who does not care about crap on the floor!
Shop the outfit
Have you ever lived alone? Did you like it? If so, what was your favorite thing about living alone? Or are you sharing a flat? How do you manage to get some quiet time?
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you liked this post.
See you soon, love, Corinne.
*Pieces in this outfit have been gifted to me.
I completely relate to this post -after moving out from my family home when I was 20, I have lived alone ever since. I love my independence!
Living alone is definitely so great! I’ve always wanted to decorate my living space as I wish since I’m such a fan of interior decor but unfortunately, not everyone at home thinks as I am.
I’ve never properly lived on my own before – I went from living with my parents for 18 years to living with my boyfriend in our own flat! However, I still very much having our own place as it means when Matt’s out, I can pretend that the flat is all mine haha! Gorgeous photos Corinne as well! xx
http://www.imjustagirl16.co.uk
Gorgeous photos as always, you look beautiful. I liked alone quite a lot, and always really loved it. I did get lonely sometimes, and once I had an asthma attack and had noone there to help which was scary, but there are so many benefits to living alone! Now I live with my husband and toddler it’s very rare to ever be alone in the house and I genuinely cherish every second when I am!
Hels xx
Although I’m 26, I’ve never lived alone (nor see myself doing it any time soon) but I really admire any young Woman my age (or younger) who has. I’d love to experience it – although I’m not sure how I’d fare. I like my space and my alone time for sure but anxiety wise it might be a struggle. Great post! <3
Jenny
http://www.jennyinneverland.com
Corinne, I still live at home with my mom, big bro and younger sister. I love living with my family and we all get along nothing but laughs. Ok but honestly, I do dream of living in my own place. I’m an introvert so sometimes I’m really happy being alone and doing my own thing. Like you said, you get to live by your own rules and do what you want when you want without any obligations.
Natonya | https://justnatonya.wordpress.com
I’ve never technically lived alone but I moved out of my family home with my boyfriend and I love it, being able to do what you want when you want is so great! Especially being able to make the space your own by adding little things here and there! Great post also love that jacket xx
YESSS!!!
Living alone is the best!
I’ve never lived alone, I got married before moving out! I totally get your points though!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
I haven’t yet had the opportunity to live alone so I haven’t had the chance to experience all these great things!! hopefully in the next couple years or so 🙂
I lived alone for a few years and really enjoyed the freedom and independence. Now my sister is living with me as a temporary thing but it is kinda nice to have some company again, share chores and cook meals together. Although she is out a lot of the time so it is still like living alone but with added benefits 🙂 Thanks for sharing Corinne, gorgeous photos too! <3 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Ahh such a fab post! I’m finishing university this year and hoping to live alone and I’m excited to do so. Not having to clear up after others and being able to decide everything by yourself is so much easier!!
Sarah x
I’m finishing university this year and hoping to live alone and I’m excited to do so. Not having to clear up after others and being able to decide everything by yourself is so much easier!! Was a lovely post 🙂
Sarah x
I’ve never lived alone before but I can definitely understand the benefits. I lived in a house with 3 other girls at Uni and really didn’t get on with one of them. I would’ve definitely liked more personal space that year! I think the independence would be really nice too, it’s something you don’t really get when you live with your parents haha.
Eve | http://www.evemorganinteriors.com
I haven’t ever lived alone, but love it when I do have the house to myself! Trying to save up a deposit so I can have my own place, but that is going to take an age to do! Can’t wait to decorate how I want and just have my own space.
Lovely photos! Thanks for sharing too 🙂
Aimsy xoxo
https://www.aimsysantics.co.uk
I’ve never lived alone but this has never prevented me from spending a lot of time alone and I have to admit, I really like it!
Great post. Never lived alone but know I would like the independence!
I’ve never lived completely alone. I’m currently living in a dorm at uni. But I have my own space and I enjoy it.
Living alone is awesome especially when you are a blogger and you are an Introvert. You get the great opportunity to be creative in the quiet of the house. No need to make dinner for anyone or run to get stuff done. Bliss!
I think living alone is good for a clean house. I do dislike how quiet it is though so I dont mind the mess that my boys make.
Never lived alone but do like some alone time so always thought id love it! Now im happily married don’t think ill get to find out!!
I lived alone and loved the independence. I’ve also lived in shared situations with people that I liked, sure, but wasn’t super close to, shared an apartment with my bestie and now I’m married. I will say that I prefer living with the people I am closest to rather than living alone, but the whole living with random people regardless of whether we get along was just not for me lol
Britt | http://alternativelyspeaking.ca
It is awesome! I love my personal space and quiet. When my husband has to deploy, I never mind it because it means I get the bed to myself!
When I first moved out on my own, I loved having the space to myself. My friends always though I was lonely. Why don’t people understand that being alone and being lonely are not the same thing? LOL 🙂
There is definitely great independence associated with living alone 🙂
I agree with so much of this! I lived alone in a studio in my 3rd year of university and I loved it so much! Mine was on campus and designed for wheelchair students, which meant that it was actually quite big so people could easily manage their chairs. My mum always worked away a lot so I felt like I lived alone a lot before I left for uni, Moving into a flatshare when I got there was a huge shock to the system! x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
I loved living alone when I was younger. It was a really good way to get to know myself and enjoy my time before getting married and having kids.
I have never lived alone and honestly, I’m not sure I would love it. I love having someone to talk to, eat with, and hang out with.
I can totally relate with this! Ever since I moved to a new country to work, I felt more independent and I really enjoyed it. Making my own decisions and doing things on my own pace are the way to go!
I have never lived alone but I do agree it can be a great experience. Being independent must be a great feeling. I would however be a little lonely !!.
I never thought I would like living alone. Now that I am constantly surrounded by people and am more sure of what I like, I would love it.
I love living alone and don’t have the disposition or patience for the traditional roommate setup. However, I’m a single mom with a 7-year-old son, so I have a “broke roomie” who also happens to be my BFF.
love your outfit! I used to love living alone! cant now bc I am married with kiddos but it was always easy!
So many people feel that being alone is like being told you have the plague but it can be a great time to find out what you want and to have some super fun adventures.
I used to live alone for a couple of months and I have to say it has good parts. To me, it all depends on the type of person that you are. Maybe you enjoy your own company or perhaps you feel the need to be surrounded by other humans. It all depends.
I’ve never lived alone before but I feel like I would enjoy it!