Remember the Les Miserables song “On My Own”? This, I imagine, must be the anthem of those who are transitioning from University to finally moving out and becoming a working person.

While I am a big fan of independence, I must say that going on my own was no easy task. I have had to struggle with paying the rent, with paying for my utilities like the DSL (broadband) and the electricity, and the daily living expenses were no joke to shoulder.

Because of my spending habits, I have had to put up with going hungry. But more than that, I have had to put up with the frustration of bosses not paying on time, my lack of identification documents, and the fact that I hold nonstandard money transfer and banking accounts.

But despite the struggle and the hardship, I do find living alone a pretty sweet situation. Imagine my glee when, earlier, I got money from something I worked on for two straight days, and I just went crazy in a shopping store here: buying an electric fan, a table I had wanted the moment my eyes fell upon it, kitchen utensils, even trash cans! I never knew buying houseware could be so fun.

Yes, needing to pay the bills is something that is daunting for most, if not all of those who are setting foot upon full-fledged adulthood. I honestly don’t want to wish my situation on anyone, because, man, it’s hard!

But I don’t envy those who are employed in “normal” jobs and whose bills are not as atrocious because they still live with their parents. I really relish my independence, and I’m pretty proud that though there are times that my situation is frustrating, I have actually survived nearly six months of being on my own. Though I’ve only wholly been on my own just now, still, the steps I took toward this big change in my life were gigantic, and I could only marvel at how I’m still sane despite having moved five times, been on an emotional rollercoaster, and basically had so much stress and frustration I seemed to breathe it.

But you know, when all is said and done, I like the fact that I am my own guardian now, and that I need not answer to anyone anymore… Even if I go home at 8am. :p

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