September Monthly Update!
Hi Friend! This month I finally moved out of home and want to share my experience of moving out as an Autistic person.
Finally, I made the big move to Manchester!
Throughout the month, I thought it wasn’t going to happen due to the exhaustion of apartment hunting, phone calls to estate agents and other curveballs. There were moments when I felt like giving in to my negative thoughts, but luckily I didn’t.
“Home is not a place, it's a feeling that you carry with you wherever you go.”
Moving into a new apartment has been stressful, but it has been a rewarding experience that I often took for granted at university.
Firstly, fully moving out of my parent’s house meant moving a bulk of stuff that I didn’t know I’d accumulated over the years. Whilst at university, I knew I could always leave my possessions in my old room and not become worried if anyone was going to use the room. For instance, I developed the habit of leaving my summer clothes at the house and collecting them when the weather became warmer. However, now I was responsible for taking everything with me, on a 2-and-a-half-hour drive from the South West. It made me realise how much stuff I didn’t need and how much I’ve developed a bond with many possessions.
It taught me that it was okay to let go of the past and learn to accumulate possessions that reflected me in the now.
Furthermore, it’s taught me that it takes time to make somewhere feel like home. At university, I struggled with changes to my environment. The new smells, the bathroom and navigating the area. Unlike at university, I have my sister with me on this new journey and we’re both experiencing the ups and downs of moving into a new place.
If you’re about to start the journey of moving home, I have found these 3 tips helpful to settle into your new home:
Focus on unpacking one room at a time. I had the habit of unpacking everything at once and this led to me experiencing extreme exhaustion. If you’re someone who is easily overwhelmed, I would suggest focusing on unpacking one room at a time, such as the bathroom, bedroom or kitchen. This can be done within a week or month.
Take time to leave the house. What helped me at university was getting outside and taking a long walk after moving into a new home. Not only does this help to take a break away from unpacking, but it’ll help learn more about the new area and the hidden gems. During my first walk at the new place, I discovered a canal path which has become my daily route.
Plan your meals. This is something I regretted not doing in the first week. Instead of leaving yourself to consume non-nourishing fast food, create a simple meal plan that’ll help you regain energy. The first few weeks of moving will drain your battery and it’s important to regain that energy back with the food you consume. Simple meals can include one pan pasta dishes, salad or jacket potato.
I’m excited about what the future holds for me and my sister, and although it’s been an exhausting few weeks, I wouldn’t change anything.
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