The process of becoming independent in order to go and live in a different home from the parents is one of the most drastic changes that can occur throughout life, and that is why you have to know how to manage it.

Not everything is about moving our belongings to a later place and starting to live there; we have to take into account intermediate steps that, if ignored, can make our lives more difficult .

A short guide to becoming independent without problems

Below you can see which are these stages of evolution that involve successful independence .

1. Reflect on what really interests you

You may have a stereotypical idea about how this process should be carried out when it comes to becoming independent from home. This is not bad in itself: we all have a way of imagining the “pure concept” of things, and the same goes for the idea of moving to another place. However, it is worth reflecting on whether you are not following too closely what you think independence is , instead of paying attention to other perfectly valid alternatives.

For example, you may assume that the real way to become independent is to move to a central location in a larger city, when in reality the option of moving to an isolated house in the middle of nature is more economically viable.

2. Make sure you have the means to become independent

It is not necessary to become independent at all costs if you do not yet have the means to do so . That is why before taking this step it is worth reviewing the economic situation you are in and making a pessimistic calculation about how the first few months can be spent in a new house, to avoid unpleasant surprises.

3. Communicate well with your parents

When children leave home, it is very common for the so-called empty nest syndrome to appear in the parents’ home: a state of melancholy, sadness and boredom that is often related to a worsening of the parents’ self-esteem. Of course, there are different levels of intensity in which this syndrome can appear (if it does), but it is never wrong to do our part to prevent its effects or cushion this emotional blow where it occurs.

That is why it is good to talk about this new situation with the people who have taken care of us for years, so that they do not see this change as a sign that their usefulness has come to an end.

4. Learn about the technical aspects of living abroad

It is necessary to be aware of the bureaucratic and technical requirements needed to live in a flat legally . This is another of those measures to avoid unpleasant surprises at the last minute.

5. Consider your work needs

If you work through the Internet, you can use almost any home with a good connection to the Internet , but if not, your workspace (and the prospects it offers) should be one of the aspects to take into account when selecting a new place to live. Remember that what you pay for rent has to fit in with your salary and that in these situations it is counterproductive to have optimistic perspectives about possible salary increases or promotions: work on insurance, since many times our expectations and desires are mixed with our ability to foresee future scenarios in a realistic way.

6. Search for house or flat… but with caution

With the availability of homes and rentals on the Internet , many new ways have also appeared to trick the unwary into paying in advance to end up with no flat or a ruined one. Be very careful!

7. Meet your new flatmates

If you move into a shared flat, it is good to know, even superficially, the people who will share space with you . Aspects such as prayer, hygiene, noise-related habits and pet care can make the difference between having a place to rest and having a constantly open front.

8. Plan new routines

Becoming independent almost always means getting involved in a situation where part of our habits no longer serve . For example, if until now others prepared our meals for us, now we are the ones who have to cook, and if this situation is not foreseen, it is most likely that we will end up going the easy way: an unstructured schedule in which we are constantly eating and a menu consisting of packaged products, pastries and sweets.

The solution to adapt to this change without reducing our life expectancy is to force oneself to follow a new schedule every day so that these new rules of the game can be transformed into healthy habits.

9. Get to know the local markets and shops

Once settled in the new home, exploring the surroundings in depth to see what kind of products or services we can buy without having to walk far is key to saving time, money and effort. Becoming independent is not only living on another floor, it is also being well integrated into another network of shops. In the end, what we call home does not have to end at our front door.