Things I've Learned Living as a Bachelor

I wrote this a couple years ago but never posted it.

Before moving to Japan, I've always lived with roommates, family etc. There's always been someone around. In that absence at the end of the day,  you discover a lot about yourself and how to function. Here's a few random things I've learned in the two years I've lived alone.

1.Dishes suck! No matter how many times I tell myself I'm going to wash my dishes right after I use them, they inevitably sit in their own filth until it smells like a baby crawled over to your sink and threw its diapers down your drain.

2. There are many very useful household items that can serve other purposes when you can't find a clean one (see above):

•  The handle of a spoon or fork makes a great knife. Not only can you eat your cereal but you can butter your toast with the same utensil.  
• Speaking of cereal, if its round and holds milk, it can be a bowl. Also, if it can be a bowl it can be a cup. 
• Chairs make great clothing racks. If you got a Japanese closet like me there is not enough space for hangers. 

3. There is a reason your mom separates your lights from your darks. Trust me. I have enough brownish, faded dark shirts or greyish white shirts to realize this. Yet I still throw it all in together and hoping the laundry fairy will magically wash them separately. Also, bleach isn't that scary.

4. Check expiration dates when you shop. Usually they put things that will expire soon toward the front of the shelf when you can have a whole extra week before it smells bad in your fridge if you dig for the back ones. (Don't forget to check expiration dates before you eat the food too.)

... now the real stuff

5. You get to discover who you are not who people think you are. Its really easy to get caught up in what people think about you and trying to portray yourself in a way that makes you fit with what people want you to be like. But when you are living alone, you can see your real side both good and bad. Sometimes you will discover that you are good at things. Sometimes you realize how lazy you really are. 

6. You get to grow. So often when I get caught up in other peoples perception of me. I get used to being what others think of me than who I really am. But when you find out what you're like when no one is watching you can start to grow on your own. For example, if you are lazy and out of shape. If you can get yourself motivated to run without anybody telling you to, then you will actually do it consistently.