Roommates & Other Young Adult Things. [Part 1]

Recently I made the big move out of the parent's house, and finally into my very own place. HELLO FREEDOM! Honestly, so far it doesn't feel like much has changed. That might have something to do with the massive change I made to my life when I moved 1200 or so miles west, from one home in South Dakota to another here in Washington, only six short months ago; truly nothing can top that kind of shock. BUT if I'm being completely honest, by the time I had hit 18 years old I already had pretty much equal freedom as I do now. (Except I can take showers, and do laundry in the middle of the night without it bothering anyone.)

If anything, moving to Bellingham has only made my life a little more interesting. When I used to picture what my first place would be like, I always pictured myself living with my best-friend, in a small apartment where we would spend our nights goofing off under twinkle lights, and colorful tapestries. But what you picture in your head, is not always how things play out. The reality is that I moved into a small bedroom with my boyfriend, in a rather large house (that we will just call The Fortress from now on) with two very nerdy, male roommates. I like it here though, despite its messiness, there's a lot of space, and its always filled will laughter from all of our friends. 

All that being said, there are somethings that are very different when it comes to moving in with three other people versus the lifetime you've only spent living with the people who raised you. Here's a few personal examples from my first month on my own:

1. My roommates are not as picky about the same things I am. I grew up with my mother, who I think has a mild form of OCD. I believe that everything has its place, and it should always be there unless it is currently being used. To my roommates- as long as its in the general area of where it was, its fine. ALSO, I am a freak about my dishes. If I even see a water mark on my fork, I refuse to use it. I have been caught multiple times searching through the silverware drawer like I'm looking for the needle in a haystack.
2. My friends are ALWAYS over, and they stay late. It's not a bad thing, I thoroughly enjoy it. We can be loud together, watch movies till 2:00am, and leave for food at midnight without disturbing anyone. Every night is fun, and interesting. The only down side: I don't get much time to work on other things.. like my writing.
3. If something is wrong with the house we have to remember to tell our landlady about it. Since before I even moved in to this house, the lock on the front door for lack of better words, sucks. Not sucks as in it doesn't lock, but rather it is very hard to unlock. Before the lock in the actual knob broke (you can't even get the key in it, and if you somehow manage to, it still won't turn) you had to do some crazy maneuver, and a lot of jiggling for it to work. Now that it's broken completely we just lock the deadbolt, but every once in a while someone forgets, and locks the knob before leaving. This means making a lot of phone calls for the next person that comes home. We REALLY need to get that fixed.
4. Boys are smelly. Yeah, I said it, and I don't want to hear "No, not all guys stink", I get that, but I have smelt some weird smells. Not always horrible, except occasionally in the bathroom, but just... different. One day I came home from work, opened the door, and was overwhelmed by the smell of what I can only imagine a factory that specifically makes spearmint gum would smell like. After a few days I realized it was one of my roommates... I think aftershave.? On another occasion the whole house smelt like a spice rack. I just stay in my room with my Cedar incense, and Vanilla Latte scented candles, thanks.
5. Grocery shopping is not exciting. Unfortunately, it is 100% necessary. Especially in a house where everything in the kitchen in free game. Things disappear SO FAST! I finally get how my mom felt when she would open the fridge to grab a can of her favorite soda, only to find out I had emptied the box. The down side of "Adulting"- it's not all fun and freedom.

These are just five quick differences I've noticed in my first month on my own. I'm sure there's more, and in case you didn't notice the title of this post, there will most likely be a part 2 later down the road, because I'm sure there will be more goofy stories, and a lot more learning. So until then I'll just be here, enjoying the ride. 

What are some big changes you are living with/remember about your first time on your own?