How Life Changes When Your Siblings Move Out

Being the youngest in a family means you're usually the last to leave the nest. As your siblings leave to make something of themselves, you begin to notice that things at home change quite a bit.

YOU GET LONELY

Most siblings can transition seamlessly from enemies to friends repeatedly over the span of a day. One moment you might be squabbling over the most meaningless things, and the next you might be covering for each other when it comes to dealing with your parents. The absence of that ever-present companion hits people hard at first.

Then there is the boredom, especially when you're stuck at family events. You try the most outrageous ideas to stave off the monotony, such as meditation or, heaven forbid, actually striking up a conversation with your "fun" aunt. Needless to say, nothing quite does the trick. 

YOU GET RESPONSIBILITIES

If you have a sizeable age difference with your siblings, chances are your parents are reaching that age where their health is becoming a pivotal concern. With you being the only one left at home, you start to worry about whether you could handle any crisis that could occur. Enjoy those extra responsibilities because they're not going anywhere.

YOU GET 24/7 VIDEO-CALLING

If you're (un)lucky, your house will end up feeling like it has a virtual wormhole that connects to your sibling's apartment. You miss your siblings, but they aren't really giving you much of an opportunity to miss them. Your mum and dad are constantly on the tablet, sometimes even cooing at the screen if your siblings have decided to spawn abroad. Often they aren't even talking, but the call is connected as everyone at home goes about their business. Humans really have outdone themselves when it comes to connectivity.

YOU GET SPACE

As your siblings leave, your humble nest starts getting a lot cosier. The house is finally your arena to do as you will. You can hog the PC that you used to share with your siblings all day long with no one to interrupt you. You can move into their bigger rooms, finally have that attached bathroom, and still keep your stuff in your old room too. Who said you can't have your cake and eat it too?

YOU GET ALL THE LOVE

Last, but not least, your parents only have you now. They are subconsciously dreading the day their last egg leaves the house, and so they end up doting on you more than ever. My mum ends up cooking all kinds of new recipes for me every week, while complaining about my weight the very next day. As long as those chicken wings keep coming, I'm not complaining. 

At the end of the day, your siblings moving out of the house almost never means that they'll be out of your life. You'll still miss them, but you might as well enjoy the storage space while you're at it.

Rabita Saleh is a perfectionist/workaholic. Email feedback to this generally boring person at rabitasaleh13@gmail.com