We’ve all heard it: “At least once in your life, you should live away from home.” And honestly? It’s true. Living away from home isn’t just about chasing career goals or educational dreams — it’s about finding yourself in the chaos of airports, instant noodles, and missed phone calls from mum.
But let’s be honest. No matter how exciting independence feels, the price tag of that flight can never really match what we leave behind.
What You Really Leave at the Gate
When you move out, it’s not just your bedroom that stays behind — it’s the world within it. The late-night banter with your dad in the kitchen, watching a movie while your mum multitasks peeling veggies, and those Oscar-worthy battles with your sibling over the TV remote. Even the random 2 a.m. gossip with your sister becomes a memory you replay when homesickness hits harder than jet lag.
And here’s the kicker: no amount of new adventures, café hopping, or flatmate drama can replace those moments. You don’t just miss people — you miss rituals.
Why That Flight Still Matters
Taking that first flight is like a baby bird stepping out of the nest — hesitant, fearful, a little confused. The wind feels too strong at first, the fall feels too close, and you wonder if you should just turn back. But once you spread your wings, something shifts. The air of independence, though initially scary, feels liberating.
Learning to manage rent, cooking Maggi for the fifth night in a row, or even figuring out how to fix a leaking tap becomes part of your adult starter pack. That flight isn’t just a journey away from home; it’s a leap into building one of your own. You discover what your safe space looks like when you’re the one who has to create it.
The Return Ticket Makes It Worth It
But just like every bird eventually returns to its nest, you find yourself counting down the days to come back. The most exciting part of living away from home isn’t just the departure — it’s booking that return ticket. Knowing that every tear shed, every awkward first flatmate dinner, and every homesick night is leading up to a reunion that makes the homecoming extra special.
So yes, living away from home in your twenties is almost a rite of passage. It’s difficult, emotional, sometimes messy — but it’s also empowering. If you’re lucky, there’ll be a flight with your name on it. Take it. Because the real joy? Is spreading your wings — and then flying back to where it all began.