Life skills you need to survive living independently

Life skills are the abilities and behaviors that enable individuals to effectively navigate the demands and challenges of everyday life. These skills ranges from personal development, relationship building, decision making, and adapting to various situations. Life skills can be developed through education, training, and real-life experiences.

As a young Nigerian in your 20s or 30s who is single and living alone or planning to be independent these are some basic life skills that you should have. I will explain some below.

1. Self-care: Taking care of yourself is important for living independently. This means getting enough sleep, eating healthy, exercising, and managing stress. Develop a daily routine that includes time for relaxation and hobbies you enjoy.

2. Budgeting: Managing your money is important when you're on your own. Budgeting helps you keep track of your income and expenses, ensuring that you don’t spend more than you earn or incur unnecessary financial debs. 

3.Time management: This should be on top of the list, because time is the currency of life. When you live independently, managing your time is very important. Balancing work, social life, and personal time can be challenging, but good time management skills will help you stay on top of everything. 

4. Communication skills: Good communication skills are vital for building and maintaining relationships. Whether it's talking to your landlord, coworkers, or friends, expressing yourself clearly and listening to others is crucial. Practice active listening, which means paying full attention to the speaker and responding thoughtfully. 

Lastly, living and surviving as a young people can be hard sometimes but with the necessary skills and right connection of friends and community you will thrive.