Moving Back In With Your Parents After College Graduation

A little more than a year ago I moved back in with my parents. I had just graduated college, had no job lined up and couldn’t afford to stay in my college town. Packing up my stuff and move back home seemed the only thing to do.

To be honest, that decision was not hard to make. During college, I struggled quite a lot with homesickness and was ready to go back to the comfort of my parent’s home, at least for a while. My parents and I have a really deep connection and, mentally, I thought home was exactly where I needed to be, so the transition was very easy.

But I know that moving back home after college is not that simple for everyone. Some people see it as taking a step back or something to be ashamed of. That’s not the expected thing to do after college, right? We’re supposed to be adults now. Graduate college, find a job, move out of our parent’s home permanently, and then get married.

While I do want all of that, I don’t see myself in that position soon. I don’t feel ready for that. Both mentally and financially. And I have to admit that I do like the perks that come with living at home: zero rent and home cooked meals – yes, please!

But because I know there is a negative stigma attached to it, I’m writing this blog post on coming to terms with living at home as a millennial, as well as a few reasons to be grateful for it.

You are not the only one.

I did some research and, apparently, millennials are more likely to live with their parents than with roommates or partners. See, you are not the only one. I live in a country where it is very usual to stay home until late. None of my closest friends has moved out yet, aside from when they were at college, just like myself. So don’t feel pressured to move out just because people expect you to.

We don't need to go through the same stages in life at the same time as other people. Click To Tweet

So don’t feel pressured to move out just because people expect you to. We don’t need to go through the same stages in life at the same time as other people.

You have a support system.

If you’re able to go back home after graduation, you’re lucky to have a good support system around you. For me, personally, being in a comforting and familiar environment has had a positive impact on my life. Of course, you can get that feeling from a partner or friends but, if you’re living with your parents, this is another reason to be thankful for.

You get to see your parents in a different way.

Being away from my parents made me realize how much I appreciate having my mom & dad in my life. 'Love your parents. We are so busy growing up, we often forget they are also growing old.' Click To Tweet

Of course, it’s not always easy to be back home when you were just getting used to your own rules and independence. Your parents will probably treat you as if you’re still a teen and you’ll hear “eat your veggies; don’t forget your jacket; don’t come home late” very often.

But there are a lot of positive things to take from this time of your life. You get to know your parents as an adult and not a teenager anymore, which gives you a different perspective on pretty much everything. For me, I find that it helped me create a stronger bond with my parents.

You can save up some money.

I was very thankful to be at home, with the support of my parents, during the stressful journey of finding a job. Even now that I’m working, living with my parents means I don’t have to worry about things like rent. It’s still important to help them out, but rent is a burden I don’t have to carry, and that allows me to save up some money for the future.

You are able to take riskier career decisions.

Of course, this really depends on your family, but when you’re living at home, you can afford taking more risky career decisions. Whether you don’t like your current job or want to explore a new career path, this is the time to do it.

Moving back in with your parents is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s temporary, doesn’t mean you’re going to stay there forever. I do want to move out and live on my own but can’t afford it right now so I will definitely enjoy my time at home.

 

Have you moved out or are still living with your parents? How was/is your experience?