I was 22 when I lived alone for the first time. It was also the first time I lived abroad, in a country where I did not know anyone.

As an introverted person who does not quickly open up to new people, I decided to risk loneliness rather than have to share a room with a complete stranger. I moved into a studio apartment and prepared myself for loneliness.

Much to my surprise, I settled quickly into my new life. It felt comfortable. There were lonely times, of course, but nowhere near as bad as I thought they would be.

In the end, living alone was such a valuable experience to me that I think everyone should try it at least once in their lifetime.

Here are 10 things you learn from living alone:

You learn to entertain yourself

When you live alone, you will get bored. A lot. And that's okay.

In time, you will learn not to depend on others for entertainment and find that there are just as many interesting things you can do alone.

You start talking to yourself

Sometimes you just need to say something aloud, to fill the silence with your own voice. I could go days without talking to a single soul.

Your bills are your responsibility and yours alone

Electricity, water, internet ... At the end of the first month, I was shocked to find that these had bills skyrocketed. Worse, there was no one else to blame.

Since then, I never again left the bathroom light on.

You are free to do anything without anyone to judge you

Eat ice cream straight from the container? Walk around naked? Invite ten friends for dinner? Go ahead, no one will complain.

It sucks when things need to get fixed

I had a long day at school when I came home only to find the toilet did not flush.

For a while, I considered the possibility of spending the rest of the year filling a bucket with water to flush it down. It seemed like a better idea than having to make a phone call.

You can do chores anytime, but you have to do them eventually

You can pretend not to notice the dusty corners or the dishes piling up. I used to put off doing laundry because there was no washing machine at my apartment and the nearest laundromat was in the city center.

There was nothing I dread more than a 6-kilometer bike ride with a bag of dirty clothes on my handle bar. In the end, of course, I ran out of clothes.

It's time to channel your creativity

You can decorate your apartment with DIY projects.

During the two years in solitude, I did more drawing and crafting than I ever had in my entire life.

You learn to cook (sort of)

I discovered broccoli. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that—after 22 years of suspicion—it wasn't gross at all.

The experience encouraged me to experiment more with food. Cooking is a useful skill, even if it's just stir-fried broccoli and tofu for dinner.

Sick days are the most miserable times

There is no-one to spoil you and make you chicken soup. Now get up and make your own tea.

It's a chance for self-discovery

Without the need to compromise, you learn to make your own choices. You learn to form your own opinions. Living solo challenges you to do the things you normally wouldn’t do alone.

You'd be surprised how much you can accomplish by yourself.

***

Annisa Ihsani is a writer, book nerd, and mother of one. She is the author of middle-grade novel "Teka-Teki Terakhir" (Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2014).

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