After graduating from college, you get to decide what your life is going to look like. You get to decide where you want to live, what you want to do, and who you want to live with. All these decisions can be somewhat overwhelming. You can also decide to live alone, which may sound somewhat appealing after living with six girls all throughout college, but in my opinion now is the perfect time to have a roommate because when else in your life will you get to live in a cute, small, girly apartment or house and have endless wine nights and dance parties? The answer is: you won’t. I live with one roommate (who was also my roommate throughout college), and in my opinion and from experience, it is necessary to live with someone in your twenties for a few reasons: 

1. Always someone to share the events of your day with 

At this time of your life you don’t live with your parents anymore, you don’t live with your college roommates, and you probably aren’t married. You are in a new phase where everyone around you is doing something completely different day to day for the first time ever. So, who is going to ask you how your day has been when you get home from work? Who is going to listen to that crazy story from the day? Or, who is going to make you think about something besides your crazy day? These may seem like minor things until you really think about it.

2. Unexpected and planned wine nights

I don’t know if it’s just my roommate and me, but I feel like it’s a common theme for us girls living together in our twenties to love our wine nights. Whether the wine is accompanied by a Bachelor watch party on a Monday, a Friday night on the couch instead of at the bar, or a Taylor Swift album release listening party it is always more fun with your roommate. Imagine doing all of that alone… Plus, the bachelor is so much better with wine, and a night in on the couch can be much more enjoyable some weekends than going out to the same usual bars. My favorite text to receive from my roommate is “Can I pick you up a bottle of wine? ” 

3. A movie buddy

This is just 100% necessary for me as a movie lover and a requirement as a roommate of mine – you have to also love watching movies. What’s better than turning on a movie any night of the week? Or finishing the whole Harry Potter series together leading up to halloween? Someone who wants to watch a rom com with you anytime?

4. Someone who understands your day to day life

Who else in your life knows what goes on in your day to day besides the person you live with? This is something you take for granted while living with six other girls in college, and definitely something you take for granted when you live with your parents. The “How was your day?” question that was so redundant from your mom will actually be missed. There is something comforting about someone knowing when you wake up, when you do your laundry, what your work schedule is, when you get home from going out, or even when you go to the grocery store. 

5. Someone to cook you dinner when you can’t 

My roommate is particularly good at this one, and I definitely take advantage of this quality. There are days I come home from work and am too tired to do anything besides put something in the microwave. My roommate on the other hand, could not love cooking more. Plus, this method of sharing and cooking for each other cuts your grocery bill in half and gets rid of the stress of coming up with five meals a week. It also creates a fun time at the end of the day to debrief and share a meal. 

6. A person who can tell if you’re off 

Living with anyone when you’re in an off mood can be difficult, but at the same time if you are feeling down, wouldn’t you rather someone know? My roommate and I can tell when each other don’t necessarily want to talk or socialize or when something is upsetting the other. I personally do not usually tell my friends or family right away when I’m upset or having a bad day, but having a roommate who sees you everyday means you don’t necessarily have to announce it. It can just be known, acknowledged, and then there is someone there if you need more. 

7. Someone to play with at random times 

What happens when you live alone and you get bored, but don’t necessarily want to plan a huge outing or a group get together? In college, my favorite thing to do was ask my roommates who wanted to go to Target. If you have a roommate post-grad, you can still do this. No planning and no stress necessary- you can just go to your roommate’s room and ask if they want to go to Target, grab something to eat, or go to the mall.  

8. Someone to have a dance party with 

I have to admit, this happens much more frequently than you would expect. Sometimes it’s one song before we part ways to our individual bedrooms for the night, and sometimes it’s an hour-long jam session to every Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo song that we feel is necessary. I’m not saying I wouldn’t do this by myself, but it’s much more cathartic and fun when there’s someone willing to do it with you (It helps if you and your roommate have the same exact music taste, but not necessary).

9. Someone to debrief a night out with 

Any girl gets this. The best parts of a night out on the town are getting ready (which can (and should) also include your roommate) and getting home to debrief everything that happened while you were out. Every one you saw, new love interests, all the funny moments, or any new (or old) drama that happened. Plus, you need someone to eat that late night snack with. 

10. Someone else to get a dog 

It’s always been my dream to have my own dog, but right now it’s not a realistic thing I can accomplish with my work schedule. Luckily, my roommate took care of this for me by getting her own dog, and I get all the snuggles with none of the responsibility. Sure, he’s eaten some holes in our kitchen walls, but it’s worth it to have a little fur baby around to keep me company while I can’t have my own.  

Of course I know not all roommates can be like this, and there will be ups and downs while living with someone (I can’t lie and say it’s always dance parties and movie nights), but I can say that while you’re in your twenties, single, and having fun exploring a new city, you get to choose who you live with, and it’s a very a fun decision you get to make! This has been such a fun adventure I’ve been on with my roommate since we graduated from college, and I am so thankful for her and our time we have had together in our adorable, small, pink-themed apartment. I wouldn’t trade this time for anything.