Moving Out Diaries - Lessons Beyond Home

Hey there! 🙂

I need to share this off-topic update while it's still fresh.

I just got back from Baguio City, the Summer Capital of the Philippines. As I write this, there's a lot to unpack from my experiences and the lessons I learned from living far away from home.

Who would've thought that moving out would be this challenging? I honestly didn't expect it. Was I truly prepared to live on my own, away from the comforts of the city I grew up in, and immerse myself in a brand new city with its unique culture and places to discover?

For those considering moving out, here are some key lessons I learned as I embraced the cold air of Baguio City and the warmth of shouldering responsibilities as a young adult.

💸 Take Budgeting Seriously

Moving out involves significant financial responsibilities. Before embarking on this journey, diligently reviewing your budget and planning ahead is the most crucial step.

Learning effective budgeting, expense management, and setting priorities are essential. It is also important to have a realistic budget, accounting for monthly bills, to prepare for unexpected expenses. This is something that almost caught me off guard when one time I slacked off and it was the due date for paying an important bill

I can't speak for everyone, but personally, tracking daily expenses has proven invaluable in managing and monitoring my financial health. I use Google Sheets, and I referenced a template to suit our needs. On the 15th and 30th of each month, we plan possible expenses, bills, and other necessities. Whatever remains becomes our allowance until the next financial planning on the 15th and 30th. For those wanting to take it a little bit further, quarterly financial planning and tracking upcoming expenses can also be beneficial. For instance, I have recurring payments for editing software and subscriptions, making it crucial to allocate funds beforehand to avoid feeling overwhelmed when due dates arrive.

📈 Growth is Assured, Just Not in the Way You Expect

Moving out has the power to influence personal growth, and this transformation varies for each individual. Growth is inevitable, fueled by the journey's encouragement of self-growth and self-reliance. It creates confidence in decision-making, adaptability to a new lifestyle, and the development of day-to-day problem-solving skills.

My simple decision-making skills are consistently put to the test—choosing meals, managing expenses, and maintaining a clean and organized living space. One notable experience was learning to cook a decent meal, which is a slight upgrade from instant food for a satisfying appetite. I learned various chicken and pork dishes and even expanded my cooking recipes during the holiday season to celebrate festivities.

Establishing a routine also became crucial when I lived in this new city. I structured my days around an Ideal Week method that I set up on Google Calendar, guiding me to prioritize tasks on specific days. I made sure that these time blocking activities are not rigid, which allows me to adapt to the randomness of day-to-day events.

For those considering moving out, expect that there will always be challenges and discoveries that will significantly contribute to your growth. Growth isn't always a rollercoaster that always goes up, but the ups and downs allow you to embrace the dynamic nature of life. Sounds cool, right?

⏳ Time Can Be Your Friend/Enemy

Managing time can be a constant struggle, with priorities and distractions fighting against one another, leaving other things unaccounted for. This is a challenge I often face when budgeting one of our most precious resources: time.

Establishing key parts of a routine is crucial to kickstart the day, gaining momentum to accomplish more efficiently. In my case, I prioritize waking up, tidying my bed, and avoiding quick social media checks. This approach benefits both ways: less time on social media allows more time for cleaning and cooking, and I gain clarity to write journal pages without getting bothered by the things that are beyond my control online. Furthermore, I can engage in personal projects before setting up my desk for the day job (graveyard shift, haha).

As a perfectly normal human being, I often get this as a hit and miss. Even if there are days that goes as planned, there's always a resistance, which throws me off the routine. However, staying committed and showing up, even on the toughest days, is also crucial. As I write this, I would advise myself to ask what could make these challenging routines fun and easy, even on the worst days.

These are some of the most significant takeaways from my six-month stay in Baguio City. To be honest, it's a short period compared to those away from home for years. but as someone experiencing it firsthand, it's a new and essential milestone for personal growth. Whether you experience it sooner or later, moving out is one of the best experiences you'll ever have.

Have a great week!

ran

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