Does anyone live alone?

Leonardsmom,LPN · May 30, 2016

Before starting nursing school last fall I had been living alone for 6 years living off of CNA wages, no kids. Currently living with family again while completing nursing school, but I am looking forward to the day that I can be on my own again. While I couldn't afford a whole lot extra working full time as a CNA, with careful management of my money I was able to afford to pay my bills. I have had cats during the entire time, they tend to be fairly independent and while they seek my attention they do fine if I am not home for awhile. As for how clean my place was, as others have said house chores tend not to be a favorite thing for me to do. Because of that and since I am not a person that my personal environment needs to be super organized my place tended to be slightly messy. I miss having my own place where I can do what I want when I want, if it is watching a movie at 2 in the morning with out the worry of waking someone else, or studying when ever I want without someone else interrupting me.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · May 30, 2016

My home is my sanctuary. I am really into design. I don't buy nice clothes, designer purses, shoes, or jewelry. But I love to decorate my house, and I keep it really picked up and clean. I'm addicted to HGTV and love "Before" and "after" shows.

D2 is home for the summer before law school, and in two days, her stuff is scattered all over the place. Anxiety ensues...

Waiting for her to enjoy living by herself again. She probably would agree, lol.

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · May 31, 2016

i moved out at 18. Throughout college I had a series of roommates, on and off. i tried the "I pay everything and you pay me" and the "you pay everything and I pay you" as well as the split everything. Well, nothing worked. Turns out I really hate having another person in my living space. did some time in the dorms for college--single room, please.

After that, with the exception of a couple of years with a BF (somehow that's a bit different), i have lived alone since I was about 24 (44 now). it's just me and the cat. I did also move back in with the parents for about 18 months (don't EVER do that if there's any other choice.) I like it because there's nobody to touch my stuff, eat the last of my cereal or run my phone bill up to $900 (yes that happened back in the day of home phone service). I have owned a place and currently rent but either way, my house is a bit cluttered (too much furniture really) but it's mine. It's quiet and calm and (sorry for the visual), yes i can walk around in my underwear. I don't think I'd want it any other way.

Maevish, ASN, RN · May 31, 2016

Hi I'm a student starting my second year in the fall. Originally I was going to move with family after graduation, but I decided I didn't want to move to that area. I currently hate where I live with every fiber of my being! So moving is my #1 motivation to push myself hard in school and obviously important to me. My BF will not be moving with me either because of his career. We both are accepting of this, that I chose location and he chose career over our relationship but anyway the point is I'll be moving alone to an area where I don't know anyone.
So I was wondering about nurses who live alone. Are you a single parent? Do you have pets? How do you work those things out if so with 12 hr shifts? Do you keep up with the bills well enough and housework? I don't know this doesn't seem that important of a topic but I'm asking anyway and interested in the answers, Thank you :)

A little harsh on the BF for making the same choice you did (you chose location/job/school and he chose location/career:cautious:), but here are my answers:

1) I'm not a single parent. I love babies, but prefer to babysit rather than have the 18+ year committment. I know plenty of nurses who are single parents, though, and they manage.

2) I don't have pets even though I'm dying for a cat (because with my hours getting a dog would be mean). The guy who rented the duplex before me had let his pet pig in the house multiple times and it ruined the carpets. They had to rip everything up and start over before I moved in so now the landlords aren't wanting anymore pets.

3) Like I said in the other two questions, I don't know how my friends who are single parents work things out, but I do help a couple of them babysit when needed and they depend on help from others (be it paid help or family/friends). I really could only have a cat with my hours because I also drive at least an hour each way to work and it's too mean for a dog. Maybe if you had someone coming to take a dog out to potty and play with them during your shift it wouldn't be so bad, but still. Dogs are pack animals and they need more attention than most cats do any day of the week. :sarcastic:

4) I'm not sure what living alone has to do with keeping up with the bills:roflmao: because most people pay bills even when they live with someone (unless the sugar daddy/mama) handles that sort of thing.

Housework is housework no matter if you're single and working 12-16 hour shifts or married plus kiddos and 8 hour shifts so I'm not sure what you're question is here either. You just have to budget your time better to make sure things don't fall behind and your place doesn't get to looking like a pig sty (after all, there's no one else to blame but you if things get out of hand lol).

For example, I won't be home when the trash goes out this morning and I forgot to take them out to the street so I will have to go another week with full trashcans cause I can't get my act together. :confused:

Besides, what works for me won't necessarily work for you or the next person in line. Work it out, try things, and see what works for you. :whistling:

xo