“Aren’t you worried about being alone?”
“What about safety?”
“What do you need a space for?”
“You don’t need that…”
Isn’t it wild how different people are quick to project their concerns, disapproval, and fears your way about decisions you’re making for your own life? Especially when you’re doing things that may not fit what they think you should be doing? Such can be the journey for many single women, but the refreshing thing is, bachelorettes can make decisions about how they want to live life and ignore outside opinions. The traditional path of young women living with their parents until they’re fully financially stable, or because of marriage or having children is no longer the normal path for some. Some women have roommates, others are living with their partners, some are building homes while raising their children alone, and even more are starting over after a breakup or unexpected life change, boldly branching out, building and establishing their special spaces, places, and bachelorette pads, which I think is super cool. I believe having your own space is important, but before you start apartment, condo, or house hunting, there are some things you should take care of first:
Know Why. Why do you want a bachelorette pad? If you have your why locked down, you have something to help keep you forward-focused as you begin this journey. When I originally presented this idea to different family members, friends, and peers, I was surprised at the lack of support, apprehension, and dismissiveness that came my way. Sometimes, it may be best to just do what you’re going to do and remember to keep your why in mind. Different people in your life, even well-meaning ones, may not be on board with what you're doing, but as long as you’re happy and at ease about what you’re doing, you shouldn’t waste time worrying about who isn’t.
Put Together A Pinterest Board. Now that your why is locked down, time for some fun – Pinterest! I learned about Pinterest years ago and once I learned you could pin different boards and ideas on it, I was hooked. A Pinterest board for your bachelorette pad is a great idea to explore what kind of layout, furniture, color schemes, and set up you’ll want in your own place and give you the chance to envision what kind of décor you’d like to have in place too. Isn’t that just exciting to think about?
Do Your Homework. Doing proper research is critical when you’re getting your own place. If you’re apartment hunting, do you prefer lower levels or higher? A gated community or an open one? Maybe you’re more of a condo or townhouse person or maybe you want a home that’s not attached to anyone? This is why you need to do your homework. I also recommend talking to different people, especially other bachelorettes, who’ve already done this on their own. They can give you great advice about what to do, what to avoid, and even put you in touch with great realtors to help you narrow down your choices about what you want to do.
Be Patient. This is an area I still struggle with sometimes, but as a bachelorette, you must make patience a priority. I laid out these steps because I know getting into a nice bachelorette pad of your liking takes time and won’t be as easy as, “Yes! I’ve found my dream home.” You’ll probably look at a ton of places until you find something that fits your budget and needs. So as excited as you might be, enjoy the process and pace yourself. Begin picking up different things you’ll need like bathroom accessories, bedding, kitchenware, and more. And before you know it, you’ll find a place that’s a great fit.