Mostly because I’m highly independent by nature and it’s difficult sharing a space and having other people do things for me.I do feel a little odd as most of my old co-workers and friends have cars, children, and “normal” lives, but no one has given me grief about my choices. The opposite in fact! Most of them are extremely supportive and interested. They think I’m brave and there’s no shortage of free lunches when I come back home in exchange for tales.How much you grow abroad cannot be measured on the same scale because it’s apples and oranges.

I’m abut to turn 27. I do not live at home, by choice. After a long time travelling, I realised that I needed to be more independent. Going back home made me regress, not into fighting like a teenager (I get along very well with my parents, although we do fight occasionally, we also spend time cuddling in the sofa watching t.v. together), but into the confort of having other people do things for me.

But my parents are still overprotctive and I need to call them everyday, so they know that I’m ok. When I mentioned that to an American friend, she couldn’t believe it. But I think that is absolutely normal.
I’m the one who can’t believe it, when I see American movies or series where families only get together at Thanksgiving, and only as an obligation. Yes, I know that’s an exxageration, but still… it’s such a different culture! That’s why some American and British commedies about foreign people (Greeks, Italians, Latin Americans, Portuguese…) make fun of families who stay close, or live in the same house (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding” and “Love Actually” come to mind, but also the natural way this was portayed in the series “Ugly Betty”).

When I tell people, here, that I don’t live with my parents, they usually say things like ”oh, so you had to go to a different city to study/work?” or “why not? Do you not get along with your family?”

“When one grows up it is only natural to move out,” well who says that? Our modern society does, but you don’t have to believe it. Society is just what the group says, and aren’t we taught to be individuals anyhow? Think for yourself and break the mold of “the perfect American/British/Canadian standard life.” (Isn’t that why you travel anyhow? To see more? Don’t feel bad but embrace the time with family, travel, explore and live your own (non-standard) life.

In the end, you basically have to just decide that it doesn’t matter what others think about your lifestyle. That’s what I realize every time that I get the opportunity to just pick up and head out on my next trip.