by Tania Gomez
Think it's just be a sad fish-tank existence?Actually. living alone can be wonderfully liberating.
If there is a life experience every girl should have, it's to live on her own. You have your own space, you can do whatever you want, and you don't have to deal with running into your roommate's overnight suitors in the bathroom come morning. But before you go solo, here are a few things you must know.
things that may take some getting used to ...
First time living alone? Here's how to beat some common teething problems.
freakout: There is no-one on hand to offer up outfit critiques. If you walk out looking like a circus clown, you're only your own sister!
fix-it: Duh, that's why they invented camera phones. When in doubt, snap a pic and send to a friend.
freakout: The silence. And getting scared because it's just too damn quiet.
fix-it: This is where background noise comes in handy. Turn on the TV, put some music on, or watch a DVD.
freakout: Having to fix a leaky tap when you have NFI about home maintenance.
fix-it: Whether you google it, call your dad, or get a nice boy in your building to help you out, now is a good time to locate your inner handyman. Every girl should learn a few basic home-maintenance skills, like changing a tap washer or unjamming a door lock, if all fall apart, just bring in the professionals.
freakout: Coming home and wanting company.
fix-it: You're living on your own, not under house arrest. Who say your social life has to stop? Call a girlfriend. Go out to dinner. Invite people over. Life still continues - you just get the added bonus of having your own space to relax in at the end of it all.
decorating your pad ...
Now that you no longer have to put up with the questionable decor that is sharehouse chic, you can go nuts and make your place your own. Interior Designer Anna Spiro, from Black and Spiro Interior Design, shares her best styling tips...
"to find your decorating style ...
start by collecting images of nice rooms from magazines and blogs. By doing this, you will start to identify the things you love and the things you don't like. Save images of the designs you adore in a scrapbook so that you can refer back to them over time.
when it comes to splurging/saving ...
I'd purchase a good sofa and bed. Spend the big money on these items and then try to be creative with the decorative stuffs. For example, you might buy some vintage wall posters on eBay, or some inexpensive fabrics from websites, like fabric.com, and then try your hand at making some cushions yourself.
make you pad feel cosy by ...
having fresh flowers around your home. Try heading to the flowers markets for inexpensive finds, or just grow your own.
the one decorating rule i swear by ...
is painting all your walls white and then layering colour and texture in the form of artwork, furniture, etc ...
eating alone ...
It's a bitch to cook for one. There, we said it. Nutritionist Kathleen Alleaume, from The Right Balance, shares her three tips for dining solo ...
1... Know your schedule for a week, and plan ahead accordingly. For example, if you have lots of social and work functions, but have two quiet nights, plan two meals so the ingredients are ready when you get home. This will kill the takeaway temptation.
2... Cook meals in bulk, such as pasta, casseroles and roasts. These dishes can be plated up and popped into the fridge for a couple of days, or frozen for longer periods. By doing this, you won't have to cook all the time, but still have a nutritious meal waiting for you after a long day.
3... Frozen dinner can be good choices, but only if they contain plenty of vegetables and have serves of lean meat, fish and chicken. Avoid meal with cream-based sauce and gravies, as they are usually high in fat and salt. A better option is to look for tomato or vegetable-based sauces.
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