Unfortunately being home alone isn’t as exciting as it was for Kevin McCallister. Apparently movies don’t accurately represent real life? Strange.

Home alone is in-fact my life right now. I also imagine it’s the life of a few post-graduates around the world now too. It can be lonely. I mentioned in my previous post the routine someone can fall into when they’re left on their own. Post-grads, or maybe even anyone leaving some type of education. Once you’ve done your daily job browse, your interview check and mental double take to try and map out your ‘exciting’ day, what do you do now? How do you stop yourself going crazy?

I think the answer to that question depends on the type of person you are or the circumstances of your personal life. My girlfriend works full-time meaning the only time we spend together is on the weekends. My friends too are all either still at University or working full-time, living their own lives. One of my best friends has just had a baby even. Shout out to you Aaron & Emma and baby Zac.

It’s almost like I’m back at school mentally. Wishing away the days of the week until the evening when my family return, or the weekend for some social activity to wake me up from the regular cycle. Believe me, I understand the irony.

I’ll admit that I’ve woken up to the sound of my family leaving work, hearing the front door slam shut and telling myself that I’m a failure or failing at what I imagined adult life was supposed to be, after putting myself £50,000 in debt for the privilege. Life is weird that way. I went out of my way to better myself and my future, but I’m suddenly back where I started only this time without a job. Two steps forward, one step back.

So why am I writing this post? Just to complain?

To put it simply, no.

I’m not sat here feeling sorry for myself. I finished University! I’m damn proud of myself for that. There were plenty of times throughout my three years where I thought about quitting. Shit got hard and I wasn’t used to that type of stress. My friends and family pulled me through without even realising and I’ve come home with a degree. It was worth every night I couldn’t sleep or every nervous bank balance check.Accurate representation of checking a student’s bank balance.

We’re home alone. What now? I’ve decided after a month of the same routine I’m going to start trying new things. I believe one of the most important things you can do in this life is take care of not only your physical health but your mental health too. As someone who has suffered with depression and has periodic bursts of anxiety, I know and can understand (at least for me anyway) there are ways to prevent these episodes or avoid falling into a trap of which it’s hard to come out from. You may never never experienced anxiety or depression but I’m still recommending to mix it up in some way.

That’s another reason I started this blog. I love to write. Writing without constraints to fill a blank page gives me with joy and a sense of accomplishment. I didn’t do enough writing in my own time while studying, only when my course required it. So that’s one new thing i’m doing.

I’ve also bought a book! To anyone that knows me, that’s a big deal. My plan is to make that not a big deal however. I want reading to become a regular hobby for me.

The book I bought is ‘Notes on a Nervous Planet’ by Matt Haig. I’ve only read the first 10 pages and i’ve told myself from today that it’s 10 pages a day, minimum.

All I know so far is the book was written in order to help mental health in our increasingly digital age. Ironic that I found it on a YouTube video.

It’s two new things to help improve my mood, my mental state and add some variety into an otherwise tedious day to day. It might not sound like much but it’s a start, and a start is all I need. I’ve begun to write notes on my phone for future blog posts too and I’m planning on making ‘Home Alone’ a weekly update.

Anyway, I think that’s enough from me today. It’s raining (in July..), I’m home alone and i’ve restarted The Office US for the 8th time this year. Here we go again..

Will

MYNEEDTOLIVE guest blogger

Author: Will Miles