Before I start, keep in mind that I am one of the most 'hermit' people you will ever come across. I stay in the confines of my own home probably too often because I just like spending time alone and not outside being constantly socially awkward. However, I've lived alone for a year or so now and I think I have come up with a few tips on how to successfully live alone! Don't get me wrong, I sometimes still feel a little lonely but I've realised that it's okay to feel lonely sometimes because otherwise I take spending time with friends for granted. This way, when I spend time with my friends I truly enjoy their company! In the beginning of living alone my house went from clean to a little chaotic, my level of productivity crashed, my thoughts and emotions also crashed and I had watched everything interesting on Netflix. After a few weeks to a month of living like a sloth, I told myself that I need to take more care of not only my home but myself.

1. Look After Your Home: I found that it was super easy to lose interest in tidying my home. Yeah, I'd do the boring things like vacuum and mop but I never bought new furniture pieces or decorative pieces to liven up the place; you know what I mean? Okay, sometimes there was a sky high pile of dishes and clutter in the kitchen when I got overwhelmed with things. I find that once I get my university timetable and figure out my work schedule (writing, uploading, editing, other things) I set a particular day and time each week to do a big clean of my entire house. It keeps my sanity in check (sort of).

2. Find The Good in Everything: this probably seems like it doesn't relate to living alone, but it does - at least for me it does. Living alone brings loneliness and I forget to think about the good/beauty in everyday life. I forget that I can look outside and see birds chirping and sitting in the trees when I'm feeling a little stressedd. Or, that I can go for a walk outside and spend some time with nature - watching the birds fly, dogs barking... It's important to not let yourself feel too lonely, you'll know the difference between good and bad loneliness!

3. Listen to Your Thoughts: don't let yourself think negative thoughts. If you ever feel a stressful thought approaching do something to combat it! - Maybe that's lighting a candle or some incense, taking a hot bubble bath, doing some yoga, listening to music or just closing your eyes for a moment - anything that will get you through those moments... I tend to find myself doing a combination of lighting a candle, taking a bath and watching something on Netflix to take my mind off everything.

4. Take yourself on a Date: who says you can't go to the movies alone? Well, personally I haven't done it but I don't see a problem with it at all - go for it!!! I have gone out to a meal alone though, whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner, I just take along a book, some work to do or even just let myself sit there and ponder everything. I think it's extremely important to be comfortable being alone.

5. Do Everything Naked: embrace the fact that for this very brief time in your life, you are living alone. Do anything, that you can, naked. Walk around the house, read a book, eat some food - embrace your body and embrace being alone. Because heck, you're not going to have the entire house to yourself for long!