I'm 20 years old and realize that I have a significant lack of independence skills. My upbringing in a sheltered middle-class family, where my mom used my type 1 diabetes as a reason to overprotect me, has left me struggling with basic adult tasks. I've got some cooking skills like making boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, and pasta, and I can run appliances like the dishwasher and oven. But honestly, I can barely manage laundry or finances. This became obvious when my girlfriend pointed out my struggles, which I initially took as criticism. Now, I want to change that and learn all the skills necessary to live independently, but I'm overwhelmed and don't know where to start. I've made a list, which includes personal hygiene (like shaving and tying my long hair), cleaning, cooking, managing finances, finding a job, managing my time, and planning for higher education or apprenticeships. I'd love to hear any suggestions on additional skills I should learn or how to tackle this journey. Thanks for your help!
5 Answers
First off, being 20 and recognizing the need to learn these skills is a positive sign. You might want to look into spending some time at a local pub or coffee shop where you can meet people with life experience. I call it my 'dad library'—the connections you make can be super helpful. Just strike up conversations and see what insights others have!
You could look into local trade schools or night classes in subjects like welding or mechanics. They're often free or low-cost and can boost your skills significantly. Also, make sure to ask friends for help—if they cook or clean, learning alongside someone makes it easier!
Start building routines! For hygiene, shower daily and make sure to use soap and deodorant. Cleaning can be simple; set a weekly schedule for things like vacuuming and laundry. Cooking? Try simple recipes and experiment—you’ll get better with practice. For finances, track your spending with a simple spreadsheet. These skills are just about practice and consistency, you'll get the hang of it!
Keep it up—recognizing your struggles is the first step! YouTube is a treasure trove for learning things like cooking and cleaning. Check out channels that focus on everyday skills. And for time management, try listing three things to accomplish each day. Treat them like priorities and it’ll help steer your day!
Check out this cleaning tutorial on YouTube! It covers everything you need to know about cleaning various parts of your house, and there's a great channel called 'Dad, How Do I?' that has tons of practical life skills videos too—definitely worth a watch!
That channel story is really heartwarming! So glad to see people supporting each other in these skills.
Thanks for the recommendations! I’ll dive into those videos for sure.
I appreciate the advice! It's a great perspective.