Moving Out of Your Childhood Home

Tell us about your experience of moving out from your childhood home. What was that first place like? How did the night go?

Well, I just have to say to start with, I have trouble with the term “childhood home.” I moved when I was … maybe one? And again when I was three or four. Again when I was four or five. Again when I was six or seven. Again when I was ten. Again when I was almost 12. Again a few months after I turned 12. Again when I was 14. I moved out of the house when I was 16…. But if I’d only lived there for two years, is it really considered my childhood home? I get the question is really asking “when did you first move out on your own” but … Meh.

Gah – me an my literal brain again! ANYWAY.

All I really remember about that first night is that the fire alarm went off for no reason and scared the shit out of me and my then-roommate. It was also the first day we’d met each other – we’d been pared together by posting on the school bulletin board that we were looking for roommates.

I should point out that I mean an actual, physical, cork bulletin board, not an online service.

Was it your choice to leave, or did someone else tell you it was time to go?

Oh, it was 100% my choice to leave. My father would probably have wanted me to stay living with him for the rest of my life, haha.

Did you feel prepared when you left your family home, or did you feel more like you were winging it?

Prepared. I’d been doing my own laundry and cooking for myself since I was about ten. I’d been getting myself up for school and making sure I got my homework done since about the same age. I thought I was ready, and I was.

Do you remember what your dreams and goals were that day? How do they compare to today?

Ultimately I wanted to be happy, and I am. I wanted to be creative, and I am. I wanted to daydream and produce work, somehow, from those daydreams, and I do.

Were those first days and months a dream or a struggle or a bit of both? What was easier than you thought, and what was harder? Write about it.

Honestly I hadn’t spent a lot of time wondering what it was going to be like – I just wanted to get out of the house. It was fine. I made friends, I was able to decorate how I wanted, I felt in charge of my own life (even though my father and grandmother were giving me money for everything I needed, so I didn’t have to get a job. I had a budget and I stayed within it).

If you’re still in your family home, imagine what it might be like when you take this step.

Lord have mercy, please don’t make me think about moving out of where I live now. If I ever move again it’s going to be for a fucking good reason!