Because young single adulthood is a time of growth and decision making, it can also be a great time to work on some principles of self-reliance. Whether you’re working toward an education or deciding how to provide for yourself, the habits you develop now will impact your available choices in the future. Regardless of your marital status, living providently has long-lasting personal benefits. Here are a few areas to focus on as you work toward a provident and self-reliant lifestyle.
Finances
Good financial practices offer independence and peace of mind. Whatever stage of life you are in, it’s important to create a budget and adhere to it. Budgeting allows you to meet your needs and save for future events such as emergencies, large purchases, and retirement. You’ll also want to monitor your credit score and take steps to improve it if it is low; you can accomplish this through consistent, on-time payments. This is crucial because your credit score will affect your interest rates later as you buy a home or vehicle or pay for your education.
Career and Education
Financial security isn’t just about how much money you have in your bank account right now; it also includes your long-term career plan. You don’t need to have your entire professional life planned out right away, but it is a good idea to have a sense of where you’re going and how you are going to get there. Consider whether your chosen career field requires specialized skills or training, and determine how you can pursue opportunities to obtain the training you need. Using what you learn about the education requirements, make plans to engage in as many career and educational endeavors as you can.
Preparedness
Emergencies can happen at any time. Prepare for possible disasters by having a 72-hour kit on hand. Kits aren’t difficult to assemble; simply collect food and supplies that would help you get through the first 72 hours after a disaster. This could include a change of clothes, bottled water, packaged food, a flashlight, and a first-aid kit.
You should also continue to add to your food storage. Many people assume that food storage is only important for large-scale disasters; however, having an extra supply of food can alleviate stress during financially lean times as well. With so many young single adults experiencing long periods of unemployment or underemployment, or as they take internships before they can get full-time employment, food storage can be an important resource to draw upon. Your food storage doesn’t have to be too expansive either; just pick up a couple extra items each time you go to the store. Before you know it, you'll have a reserve.
Physical Health
Establish habits of healthy eating and frequent exercise. Not only will these practices lead to a healthier life later, but they will also increase the quality of your life now. In conjunction with healthy eating, cooking is an important life skill that you may want to learn now; it cuts down food expenses and is often healthier than frequent eating out.
Mental Health
Find practical and sustainable ways to take care of yourself mentally and emotionally. This could include making efforts to develop a strong support system and looking for opportunities to serve in your community, which will help you build strong, fulfilling interpersonal relationships. It is also important to learn how to base your self-worth on your eternal identity and your relationship with Christ rather than on your dating or marital status. If you experience recurring mental or emotional struggles that get in the way of daily life or life goals, consider seeking professional counseling.
