Blog #36 – Slowing Down

I have now been living at home for about five weeks. It’s crazy that it has been over a month, as the decision to move itself was made in about two days. Living back at home has had its pros. It’s nice seeing the family more, and I’m saving a lot of money now that my bills have been reduced. I just have to get used to the new (old) lifestyle that comes with living back at home.

One of the biggest things my family and I have all had to get used to is my new partying habits. Previously when I lived at home I either did not go out or would not very often and not for too long. My partying habits have changed quite a bit in the time since leaving home. Nowadays I will head out for work on any weekday, and I may stay out all night or crash at a friend’s. My lovely mum has had to learn to simply trust that I will get home safely, and I will get myself to my jobs on time.

I need to adjust as well. As much as I love going out and partying hard, I did move home to slow things down and go out less. I need to realise that I no longer live on my own or only with similar people in their 20s. Going out on any weeknight and bringing friends back for kick-ons is not really the vibe where I am anymore.

Perhaps the reason I have struggled to slow down is location. Yes I have moved further from the city by leaving my unit and moving back home, but my new job has me in the city up to 3 days a week. Now that I am catching the train into the city for work its all too easy to simply stay in the city as long as I like and stumble onto the train when its time to come home.

It certainly is a tough situation to manage, at least for me. I must manage my love of partying and my need for discipline. I am proud of my progress though, I finally have some savings starting and things are looking good for my goals for the first time all year. I have started to get greater control over my finances by simply logging and categorising all my transactions in a Google Sheets. Going out and spending money is fun, having to log the endless drink purchases the next day is not. I’m confident that this is having a positive effect on my spending habits though I already feel more conscious of what purchases I am making.

Over the past week or so I have begun to get quite settled into life back at home. I have started prioritising my blog again and started up good habits like financial logging. I’m confident as the weather begins to cool and I get more settled into my lifestyle I will continue to make more and more choices that bring me closer to my goals. Oasis is back on stage all in a handful of months. I am finally on track to see my favourite band live and travel that is all that matters.

Thanks for reading, I hope you all have an awesome week. Feel free to comment on any similar challenges you may be going through.