5 Skills To Learn Before Moving Out

Leaving home and venturing out into the world unknown is something we all have to face. Stepping into the world of ‘adulting’ means you’ll need certain skills. Skills you might not have realise you needed or that you simply ignored. So here are 5 skills needed to survive -and thrive!- in the world of adults.

#1 TIME MANAGEMENT

Seemingly obvious, time management is essential; at home, there is usually a clear structure and routine, once you leave home that structure is gone and you’re out of your normal routine. This makes it easy to slack off, waste time and miss deadlines as the responsibility is now entirely yours.

To effectively manage your time, you can:

1. Write down all your goals and tasks for the day/week/month
2. Prioritise accordingly and eliminate any unnecessary tasks
3. Be REALISTIC!!! Don’t set impossible goals, it will only discourage and overwhelm you.
4. Take breaks BEFORE you crash. Work in shorter periods with little breaks in-between to avoid burnout.
5. Celebrate the small wins. It will motivate you to keep going.

Time management is not difficult, however, when ignored it can have detrimental effects.

#2 COOKING & MEAL PLANNING

We all need to eat, but, not all of us have to cook. Some of us might not have the privilege of being taught how to cook, which can turn into a problem once leaving home. Eating out is expensive, and not as healthy. That’s why learning to cook is a must. In addition, meal planning makes life so much easier and it’s more time efficient. And to be honest, it can be soooo fun!

Cooking

The easiest way to start learning to cook is by helping out in the kitchen. If your parents/relatives are cooking take advantage and use the learning opportunity.

Cooking can be as simple as following a 3 ingredient recipe. There are excellent cookbooks and a myriad of (easy and delicious!) recipes to be found online.

Start with simple dishes. Eg. Fried rice, Chicken stir-fry, Spaghetti with Mince, Wraps. There are TONS of beginner friendly recipes online to wow a crowd with! Pinterest is great for finding new recipes or you can just search for a recipe on Google. 

Meal planning

Meal planning is a great way to save time and money, reduce food waste, promote healthy eating, as well as lessen stress. I know it may sound daunting, however, it can be extremely simple.

The question is: What EXACTLY is meal planning?

By definition a meal plan refers to any strategy that is used to map out what you are going to eat on a particular day/week/month. 

So basically all you do is:

• Plan what you want to eat that week
• Make a list of all the ingredients you’ll need
• Buy the groceries needed
• Do any necessary prep work 
• Cook and enjoy!

Cooking and meal planning will be as complicated as you make it. Have some fun with it, use those easy, ‘beginner’ recipes and enjoy those delicious meals YOU have created! And remember you don’t have to be the ‘meal prep guru’ on day one! Start planning one or two meals a week, start small and avoid overwhelming yourself. You got this!

#3 BUDGETING & FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 

Knowing how to budget and manage your finances is a big part of being a grown-up. I know, another unnerving monster that likes to loom over you. However, the monster is only as big as you make it. 

There are numerous financial literacy courses online, if you search a bit I’m sure you’ll find free ones. I love Khan Academy as it is a free platform offering a bunch of life skill courses. And of course, Youtube is always ready to help! There are tons of videos teaching you anything and everything about financial management. If you prefer to learn off of paper there are tons of financial books you could read. 

Whatever way you choose to learn about finances, the most important thing is to JUST START!

#4 LAUNDRY & CLEANING

Laundry, cleaning, housework, some of the humans’ most hated enemies! Unfortunately all of these tedious tasks are a part of life. BUT trust me, you don’t want to find yourself standing in front of a mammoth sized heap of dirty laundry and having no idea how to conquer. DO NOT FEAR! It doesn’t have to be so daunting. You could easily to learn these things. 

Take advantage and ask to help with the cleaning and laundry at home; you’ll be surprised how quick you master it AND how much you can impress your mother. 

Furthermore, you can do some research, the internet will answer any questions you have; so don’t hesitate to whip out your phone for help. 

Laundry

It basically consists of:

• Sorting clothes: Whites, colours, delicates 
• Pre-treat stains: Spot clean before washing 
• Measure detergent: Take care not to over/under dose 
• WASH
• Hang clothes to dry/ tumble dry 
• Fold/ hang & put away

Remember to check the labels for specific washing instructions!

Cleaning

Cleaning is not so difficult in and of itself. It is the habit of cleaning that’s the tricky part. The sooner you develop the habit the easier it will be to keep your own space looking polished. 

Some cleaning tips:

• Clean as you go: Put away NOT down, wipe down surfaces, pack away dishes

• Start a routine: create a schedule. Break down your cleaning tasks into smaller chunks and do certain tasks on certain days. Remember to keep it simple; if it’s going to stress you out you are going to avoid it.
• Declutter regularly: Get rid of anything that is unnecessarily taking up space. Remember ~ Less is MORE! The fewer things there is to clean the more time you’ll save when cleaning.
• Dust and vacuum frequently: it helps keep a space feeling neat. 
• Bathroom cleaning: Focus on the sink, toilet and shower. Do a deep clean every 2-3 weeks with little touch ups in between.
• Kitchen: Clean counters, sink and stove. Do a deep clean every 2-3 weeks with little touch ups in between.
• REMEMBER to disinfect high-touch areas: Door handles and light switches.

CLEANING IS BORING? 

Make it fun!! You could make a ‘cleaning playlist’; create a vibe. Try to come up with creative ways to make it fun!

Having a clean and neat area will help you to focus and it will create a breathable space, and who doesn’t want to breathe?

Cleaning and laundry isn’t always enjoyable, however, if you stay on top of it it won’t get so overwhelming. It’s all about creating that habit.

Personally this is kinda scary. Car maintenance is not part of the learners exam and not everyone’s blessed with someone that just shares there knowledge and skill on the topic. But you should NOT let this stop you. Knowing how to do the basics will save a lot of money, promote independence and perhaps help you to get out of sticky situations. 

WHAT ARE THE BASICS?

Basic car maintenance includes;

• Oil checks
• Tire pressure checks 
• Brake pad inspections
• Air filter replacements
• Wiper blade replacements 
• Fluid checks (coolant, transmission, brake)
• Battery maintenance 
• Spark plug replacements 

OTHER handy things to know:

• How to change a tire
• How to jump-start a car 

To learn these things you could:

1. Watch online tutorials 
2. Read car maintenance books
3. Use car manufacturer websites
4. Attend workshop classes if your local repair shops have them
5. Ask a friend/someone that knows how

Remember to take the proper safety precautions

After finishing school, you’d think you’re done learning. False. Leaving home means you’ll have to learn many more things, but that’s just what makes life exciting. Be open to new things and try to improve any skill that will benefit you. Prepare as best you can and the rest you’ll learn along the way. 

Good luck and take care!