Feeling safe is a priority for me and it should be for all of us regardless of where we are. Living alone as a woman might feel a little intimidating at first but you should feel confident and comfortable when you’re on your own. Regardless of your living situation, here are some tips that anyone can implement into their lives.
Be aware of your surroundings. This is a given but nonetheless it’s important to list. Whether you are out-and-about or right outside of your door it is important to know what is going on. When I go to the store I try to go during daylight hours but if I happen to go at night I make sure to park in a well lit area and lock my car doors as soon as I shut my door. There are too many things that can happen in a parking lot.
Also while driving home it’s good to get into the habit of taking notice to the cars around you, particularly if a car has been behind you for a questionable amount of time. My mother has taught me this and I’ve seen her implement it many times. Whenever you feel like you might be getting followed never drive straight home. You can turn to another street, go to a nearby familiar location or slow down and let the car behind pass you. Who cares what they think, your safety and protection comes first. The same goes if you are walking or using public transportation. Listen to your gut and make wise choices.
Another tip that I use all the time is do not answer unexpected knocks at the door. Call me crazy but I don’t know the intentions of the random person on the other side of the door so most of the time I don’t answer it. This goes especially for after business hours. With living in an apartment a lot of times it could just be people ending up at the wrong door but they can figure that out.
When you leave home try to make sure at least one person knows where you are. The good and bad thing about living alone is that you can move in silence. It’s good when you don’t have to be questioned but it’s smart to keep a loved one updated. I’m fortunate to have a close relationship with my mother so I usually communicate with her at some point before or during my outings.
Be smart when it comes to giving your address out. Everyone does not need to know where you live nor do they need to be invited over. It’s good to be selective about who you allow into your space. You want the energy of your place to be good and people who are fortunate enough to be allowed in should respect that. Another thing about addresses is that you can easily look them up online when you search a person’s name. This is something that bothers me because there is no real sense of privacy. I have searched myself many times and have opted out of having my information shared on certain websites. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to search yourself and see what the results are.
If you have the time and can afford it, get a pet. Having a pet around is a lot of responsibility but it’s also beneficial. Not only will you have a cute little friend by your side, but it will feel like you are not alone. I love having a cat and she is good company, most of the time. Having her with me has helped me on some of my rough days. Also animals are protective and have good hearing. My cat can hear and sense things before I can which keeps me alert.
Even when you are living alone make sure you keep your space clean and tidy. Of course no one is there to see it, but your space is sacred and how you keep your environment will affect your wellbeing. You want to feel good about your space and regardless of how much you have to fill it, you should try your best to make it look and feel organized.
Lastly with all of the time you will have alone when you live by yourself, especially during this pandemic, start a hobby that you can do at home. Do something you love or have always wanted to do; unapologetically. Your place is a judgement free zone and you can be yourself.
With living alone comes a lot of freedom. Whether you’re on your own for the first time or just temporarily, it is up to you to discover what you want for yourself. Try to take this moment in life to grow in areas that will lead to a better you. If you are battling any past trauma take this time to start to heal. This is a time to cherish and to be proud of. There’s a lot that comes with having your own place but you just have to take the good with the bad and keep living.